Dutch liquor company Heineken has announced a series of innovations in the global
duty-free market, with particular emphasis on cruise and ferries. One of its
biggest investments is the 100% recyclable BrewLock, which delivers draught
beer at brewery quality to passengers onboard cruise lines and ferries.
While standard keg systems require additional gas and
regulator systems to pull beer to the tap, the BrewLock system uses a multi-layered
keg that relies on normal atmospheric air to squeeze the inner wall and push
the beer through to the tap. This way the system is easier to operate and
protects the beer from outside influences, ensuring the beer tastes exactly as
in the brewery.
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| Amstel alcohol-free beer |
“This is a one-way keg solution that brings advancements,” said
Koos Vrijlandt, global manager cruiselines at Heineken Global Duty Free. “The
PET keg and outer cardboard are 100% recyclable and also there is no return
journey for the empty keg back to the brewery. This brings about efficiencies
in the supply chain. In comparison to steel kegs, BrewLock kegs are 25%
lighter - and therefore safer and easier to handle - are horizontally stackable
when not in use, and have a considerably smaller footprint in the cooler and
storage.”
Boosting cider and beer onboard
With the arrival of Amstel 0.0% non-alcoholic beer and an
expanded portfolio of Strongbow ciders, including four new flavours, Heineken
aims to respond to evolving consumer demands for more choice in
beer and cider.
Heineken’s insight programme has highlighted that beer
drinkers want a broader, low- or no-alcohol portfolio. Amstel
0.0% is described as a light-bodied Pilsner that offers low bitterness and a
short length of flavour. The product uses natural ingredients and reflects the
increasing consumer consciousness of health and wellbeing, the company said. The
drink is targeted mainly at men aged 35-plus who consume light/medium beer, as
well as women.
Sean McNaughten, Heineken Global Duty Free’s manager,
explained: “For many of our core duty-free markets in hot climates and
especially for military and cruise, this will be a popular choice for lunchtime
drinking and after-sports.”
According to figures provided by Heineken, the sales opportunity in
alcohol-free beer is significant, reaching 17m hectalitres per annum globally.
With a 4.9% sales upswing last year, this category is one of the fastest-growing
segments in the overall beer category.
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| Strongbow unveils four new cider flavours |
New cider flavours
To premiumise the cider category and meet the consumer
desire for more adventurous drinks, Heineken has unveiled four new
flavours to complement Strongbow, the world's leading cider brand. The new flavours are Honey, British Dry, Elderflower and
Red Berries. The original Strongbow apple cider has also been repackaged in a bold, contemporary bottle design.
“Cider appeals to a broad audience, especially among new
user groups and women seeking to explore different and appealing new flavour
options and the versatility of cider as a complement to food,” said McNaughten.
