I see on the Summit web site information about the next in the Unchained series - Zingiber Cream Ale. I haven't seen it mentioned here, yet. I'm not sure this is my style of beer, but being the sucker I am for anything new from Summit, I'm sure I'll give it a try. Anyone tried this yet? Speaking of Summit, I noticed at my favorite liquor store the other day that Summit has started canning more of their beers in pint 4-packs (EPA and Sága were both in the cooler in pint cans). Sigh. The onward march of my second least favorite format (second to bombers).
Summit has quite the identity crisis when it comes to packaging. It would be nice if they would just pick a format and stick with It.
I agree Summit has a packaging identity issue but I love cans (especially in the summer). I don't purchase Steel Toe or bombers very much in the summer because I prefer taking cans fishing or boating.
I agree on the cans. I am more speaking from a retailer's point of view. If I am going to carry everything Summit has to offer I would need two cooler doors, which just isn't feasible. Inevitably someone will come in looking for the one beer in the one format that I don't have. It's just annoying in that respect.
A surplus of packaging choice is absolutely a challenge at retail. On the other hand... If the packaging process and technology is available to them and in place, why shouldn't they utilize it to maximize consumer marketplace placement and/or to exploit existing placement opportunities? The new format is a good choice for outdoors, or even for live events where glass has been understood to be problemtic. PakTek's 'top ringers' are superfluous in such applications, but maybe they'll offer loose-packed cases in the future?
