Should brewers focus on pints and 500 ml servings?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by gvickery, Apr 14, 2024.

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  1. gvickery

    gvickery Maven (1,263) May 13, 2017 Texas

    Does anyone agree that breweries should stop with the 12 oz cans/bottles and switch to pints or 500 ml servings?
     
  2. LeinenkugelDrinker

    LeinenkugelDrinker Pooh-Bah (2,211) Feb 14, 2023 Nevada
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    I prefer the 12oz bottle, especially because most 16oz cans come in outrageously priced four-packs.

    Usually, a six-pack of craft beer in 12oz bottles/cans goes for $12.99, while a four-pack of 16oz cans goes for $14.99. Why should I pay more money for eight fewer ounces of beer?
     
  3. Providence

    Providence Pooh-Bah (2,652) Feb 24, 2010 Rhode Island
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    Not me. I wish there were more 12 oz. beers. The only thing I want in 16 oz. are brews that are less than 5% abv.
     
  4. dcotom

    dcotom Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,637) Aug 4, 2014 Iowa
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    Maybe some agree, but I don't. Why stick your thumb in the eyes of your customers who don't want larger-format packaging? I think they should stop with the 12 oz cans/bottles and switch to 8.45 oz cans and 7 oz brown glass refillable bottles.
     
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  5. Squire

    Squire Grand Pooh-Bah (4,385) Jul 16, 2015 Mississippi
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    I prefer the 12 oz containers for anything over 5% ABV.
     
  6. ChicagoJ

    ChicagoJ Grand Pooh-Bah (5,247) Feb 2, 2015 Illinois
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    As someone who typically drinks one can of beer at home each day, I prefer single digit ABV beers packaged in 16 or 19.2 oz cans, and double digit (primarily imperial stouts / barrel aged imperial stouts) ABV beers in 12 oz cans. 12 oz of a lighter beer typically leaves me wanting more, but 24 oz daily basis goes beyond what I think is best for me.

    I do understand that I’m in the minority of customers, as the vast majority of lower ABV beer volume are sold to people who want two or more 12 oz servings in a drinking session, or are satisfied with a single 12 oz serving.
     
    #6 ChicagoJ, Apr 14, 2024
    Last edited: Apr 14, 2024
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  7. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
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    I ‘vote’ for the 12 ounce sixpack format for the same reasoning as expressed by @LeinenkugelDrinker above. If the whole 16 ounce can format went away I would not miss it at all.

    Cheers!
     
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  8. Providence

    Providence Pooh-Bah (2,652) Feb 24, 2010 Rhode Island
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    I’d love to see 10%+ abv beers in 7 oz. ponies.
     
  9. StBrewnard

    StBrewnard Pooh-Bah (1,674) Aug 5, 2018 France
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    I prefer 350ml containers to the full pint. I wish more craft brewers offered small cans. Smaller portions = more beers for me to try
     
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  10. HouseofWortship

    HouseofWortship Pooh-Bah (2,735) May 3, 2016 Illinois
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    Literally no one.
     
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  11. beer_beer

    beer_beer Pooh-Bah (2,306) Feb 13, 2018 Finland
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    I clearly prefer the 12 oz format. Currently buying 1-2 singles of each brand at a time. Not picky, but cans rule.
     
  12. gatornation

    gatornation Grand High Pooh-Bah (10,388) Apr 18, 2007 Arizona
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    Just the opposite for me . I prefer a 12oz serving, not a fan of pounders .
     
  13. moodenba

    moodenba Pooh-Bah (2,502) Feb 2, 2015 New York
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    Large scale refillable bottles are only a dream these days. Straub in PA still has the 16 oz refillables, helped by the beer store "distributor" system. Oregon has only a few smaller brewers participating in 12 oz refillables; they get reasonable return rates due to features of the state bottle return law.

    You need some kind of standard bottle so the returns don't cause endless sorting. You need a return system that would best be imposed by a state government (good luck on that) or very cooperative wholesalers and retailers (7/11 voluntarily taking return bottles?). You then need bottle washing capabilities (substantial capital investments!). Finally, you need an educated and cooperative consumer base to buy and then make the effort to return the bottles.
     
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  14. BBThunderbolt

    BBThunderbolt Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,846) Sep 24, 2007 Kiribati
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    Nope.

    12oz is generally just right. I'm usually bored with a beer by that last sip, and am ready for the next beer. Finish 1 12ozer, and start another of something else.. That last 4 oz can be be chore sometimes, especially with a beer your not really enjoying.
     
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  15. moodenba

    moodenba Pooh-Bah (2,502) Feb 2, 2015 New York
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    I prefer 12 oz. bottles, not because of boredom with the beer. I'll generally drink a beer that reliably tastes good, whether I'm having one, two, or ?. I do buy an economy German Pilsner that comes in 1/2 liter bottles. I'll stopper the remainder (advantage bottle) for the next day if I only want 8-10 oz. But I also buy a favorite English-style pale ale in cans because they don't sell bottles.
     
  16. RaulMondesi

    RaulMondesi Grand Pooh-Bah (5,343) Dec 11, 2006 California
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    And who could ever forget the 32 of Sucks?
    [​IMG]
     
  17. defunksta

    defunksta Grand Pooh-Bah (4,164) Jan 18, 2019 Wisconsin
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    I think anything over 9% should be in 12oz or less. It become too much. Would also help keep the price down for these heavier beers. Under that I'm pretty indifferent to the 12 or 16 oz.
     
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  18. dcotom

    dcotom Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,637) Aug 4, 2014 Iowa
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    I know. It's only a recurring decades-old pipe dream.
     
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  19. Orca

    Orca Grand Pooh-Bah (4,710) Sep 18, 2010 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I prefer my malt liquor in 40oz bottles, preferable wrapped in a brown paper bag. For almost all other beers 12oz is good, but I also appreciate the 500mL format.
     
  20. NextBestThing

    NextBestThing Pundit (791) Apr 5, 2008 New York

    actually ideally prefer 11.2 ounces
     
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