Polish Craft Beer moves from glass to aluminium cans

Polish brand Piwo na Miodzie Gryczanymi claims to have broken out of the traditionally glass specialty beer market in Poland, switching to aluminium cans made by Ball Packaging Europe.

The alcoholic beverage, made with buckwheat honey, is the first canned beer from Jablonowo Brewery, which celebrates its 21st anniversary this year.

Hubert Buksowicz, president and co-owner of Jablonowo Brewery said as a ‘mini barrel’, the can is the best packaging for preserving beer quality.

Breaking out of the stereotype

“Up to now, specialty beers in Poland have only been sold in glass bottles; why shouldn’t we contradict this stereotype?” he said.

The brewery was founded in Jablonowo in 1992 by three partners in a former spinning mill.

Initially, it sold low-cost, strong lagers around Jablonowo, but due to the rising popularity of regional breweries, it has expanded the business by producing more exciting, expensive beers under the Manufaktura Piwna brand. Better taste

“Piwo na Miodzie Gryczanymi is a dark, unfiltered beer. The omission of the filtration stage gives it a better taste attributable to the brewing yeast and honey,” added Buksowicz.

To date it has only been available in glass bottles. The 500 ml aluminum cans for the regional brewery feature a special matt varnish and claim to keep the beverage inside fresh and flavorsome for a long time.

Antti Laakkonen, business manager, Alcoholic Beverages Ball Europe, added cans are the only beverage packaging that are fully sealed against the ingress of light and oxygen and therefore suitable for a light-sensitive product such as beer.

“Consumers are increasingly opting for specialty beers,” said Laakkonen.

“They tend to drink at home or during outdoor gatherings with friends. As a result, they are more likely to choose beverages in practical, convenient packaging that is easy to handle and consume from at virtually any kind of event.”