Entries from April 2006 ↓

I found out what part of the $50m Heineken is spending for the launch of Heineken Light went to: launch schwag. Their PR agency was kind enough to send us one of the launch kits. The pictures below don't do it justice but what they did was take a fancy metal wine carrying case…

… and modified it to hold a Heineken Light, a branded bottle opener, and a business card CD with more info:

For what it's worth, the bottle opener is nice and heavy and has an adjustable, uh, whatever you call the part that lifts the cap up. A tang maybe?

So, after admiring their packaging I put the bottle in the fridge and waited until the next day to try it. The verdict: I was happily surprised. I normally don't like Heineken which to me it is a little too bitter. The Light version has most of the body of a lager but much less of the bitterness. It weighs in at 99 calories, 6.8 grams of carbs, 1 gram of protein, and no fat.

Hopefully my taste buds weren't influence by the bottle opener (did I mention it is very nice?). I did an informal survey at a bar the other night and everyone I talked to that had tried it had liked it. Give it a try and let us know what you think in the comments.

82% of their sales are in the UK and now they sold the Foster's brand in Europe to Scottish & Newcastle. Turns out they are the second largest wine producer in the world too. But they stick to their guns:

“Foster's will always be 'Australian for beer' and continue to represent the Australian way of life in more than 150 countries around the world,” said Foster's group president Trevor O'Hoy.

Copyranter thinks so (probably NSFW). You definitely have to put some thought into it but maybe it is the subliminal they are going for here.

You thought you had a can collection? Check out Jeff Lebo's “House of Beer Cans”.

Link via MAKE: Blog

I saw this on The Daily Buzz this morning but they don't have it on their site yet (but when they do, I'm guessing this will be the link). I found a copy online for your immediate viewing pleasure. Cool animation and interesting to see what a difference 50 odd years makes in advertising and portrayal of women, men, and beer.

For more info. than you ever wanted about Carling Black Label, check out Hey Mabel Black Label.