Puzzling Out the Six-Pack

Six-pack holders are nothing new; the typical cardboard versions usually last a couple of rounds of carrying if you take care of them. But even the most conscientious beer lover must eventually banish these worn out paper bottle carriers to the recycling bin.

There are several varieties of sturdier, reusable six-pack holders on the market these days, often made of wood or leather. But only one makes a game out of putting it together—and can be taken apart for easier storage or travel.

Meet PuzzlePax. Proudly created in Pittsburgh, Penn., it’s the brainchild of Gio Attisano and Nick Thompson. The two met at TechShop, what Attisano calls a “community maker-space” in Pittsburgh. Attisano was mulling over the idea of a wooden six-pack holder when he met Thompson, who was making what would become the first PuzzlePax prototype for his father-in-law. The two started honing the design together and released their product in August.

“Around the shop we are known as the ‘six-pack guys’ and that is a title that I am very happy with,” Attisano says.

Easily assembled without tools or glue by snapping the pieces together, the PuzzlePax also can be disassembled for flat storage, making it perfect for keeping in a car or messenger bag when heading to the local bottle shop—it even packs light and flat in a suitcase for longer travels. Attisano says it takes about 2–5 minutes to puzzle the holder together.

PuzzlePax starts at $22 and can be customized by adding a logo or text to the side panels. Details at puzzlepax.com ■