CAN...struction - Winter 2005

CAN...struction - Winter 2005

Thanks to Ted Bartolacci, Wayne Cunningham, Dave Fowler, Paul Murphy, George Newman, and Larry Sherk, who provided information on new cans for this issue.

Bleue Dry - The first can on the list and the first new one for 2005. Editor Ted emailed a photo of a new 950ml Bleue Dry design Dave Fowler found in Quebec at the beginning of January. Similar to the previous can, this design is a very dark blue, now with a large "8.1% alc./vol." in white diagonal text across the face of the can beneath the Bleue DRY brand name. LA BRASSERIE LABATT LIMITEE, MONTREAL, QUEBEC.
Ball Packaging U.S., - Jan, 2005

Brava - Larry Sherk reports Lakeport has an in-case promotion of a free 355ml Brava can included in cases of 24 bottles of Brava in Ontario. You'll recall Lakeport canned an export version of this brand for the U.S. a few years ago. Is it the same can? The things I do for the Trillium chapter; another $34.95 for a "free" can so I can report to you a new can! This is the first domestic version of Brava to be canned and it's the same basic orange and black design of the can for the U.S. LAKEPORT BREWING CORPORATION CANADA L8L 4H2
Ball Packaging - Feb., 2005

Keith's - An innocent question from Halifax member Paul Murphy asking if we have the Xmas can in Ontario has led to the discovery of another 473mL Keith's Holiday can. Unlike the 2002 version which was available in Ontario as an in-case promotion, the 2004 can was only available in Nova Scotia as an in-case promotion. Interestingly, although Keith's is brewed and canned in Halifax, 473mL cans are not sold in Nova Scotia but plentiful in Ontario Beer and Liquor stores. An odd situation indeed. The 'Pick of the Issue' is this beautiful metallic green gold and red can with a red ribbon/green bow vertically on the can and the words "Happy Holidays" in gold script at the bottom of the can (gold French text on the back panel). Maybe Keith's doesn't need the extra sales, but I for one purchased 4 or 5 cases in 2002 simply because of the Holiday can; an annual can would sure make for a great looking series! Labatt code 4-B-12P. *TM/MC - KEITH'S BREWERY, HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA.
Ball Packaging U.S. - Nov., 2004

Keith's - Editor Ted reported a new Keith's can in Ontario Beer Stores at the beginning of February and interestingly it's an "8-PACK" can. Larry Sherk and I will debate this but this is the first true 355ml "8-PACK" can that has been sold in Ontario. I say first because I don't consider the Lone Star can a true 8-PACK can as that is not the text that is on the neck of the can. So, although sold in 8-packs, the Lone Star can says 'A True Texas Six Pack' on the neck, so in my opinion the Keith's can is really the first specific "8-PACK" can. The graphics on this text have changed too; nice large, white italicized text accented in green; printed overtop a gold red and silver band around the neck. Along with the metallice colours of the label, this is a really sharp looking can! Labatt code 4-B-52. *TM/MC KEITH'S BREWERY, HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA.
Crown 0830 - Feb., 2005

Keith's Light - Paul Murphy also reports a new 355ml Keith's Light design just as this newsletter comes out. Keith's Light came out with it's 'current' design in 2002 and Paul says this is a small label change. Text on the neck now says, "Brewed only in Nova Scotia". New text under the stag's head says "Keith's Light Ale" and the can has some colour variation. *TM/MC KEITH'S BREWERY, HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA.
Crown - Feb., 2005

Lighthouse Light Lager - Alberta member Wayne Cunningham reports another new Mountain Crest can. This is a colourful 355mL can for a new brand put out by the private Liquor store chain based in Calgary. The can is white, turquoise and two shades of blue with a Lighthouse/sea type scene. Imported by/Importe par Mountain Crest Brewing Corp. Calgary, AB, Canada T3G 4R7.
Ball Packaging U.S. - Jan., 2005

Lucky Lager Force 8 - Ted emailed me a photo of a new Lucky Lager brand...a silver 355mL can for a new Strong Beer. Large red text on the face of the can says "FORCE 8" underneath LUCKY Lager. Obviously like some other brands, Black Label Supreme for example, this beer has 8.0% alc.vol. One wonders how long this brand will last. *TM/MC LABATT BREWING COMPANY-LA BRASSERIE LABATT, 7 cities.
Crown 0364 - Feb., 2005

mano's Canadian WHITE TAIL - Larry also reports a stickered version of this brand from Mano's Brewhouse in Saskatoon. The silver sticker on this 355mL can says, 'Whitetail Light 4% Alc. Vol.'
Ball Packaging U.S. - Jan., 2005

mano's WildLife - This 355mL can also has a silver sticker on it, this time saying 'Gulo Gulo 5% Alc. Vol.' Lets hope these sticker cans (see Sudds below) don't become a trend, as they are not really "new cans".
Ball Packaging U.S. - Jan., 2005

Molson Canadian - Ted reports the 950mL version of the new Molson Canadian design finally came out in Ontario in January. This is the can with the "CANADA'S BEER" text on the back panel. MOLSON CANADA 5 cities.
Ball Packaging U.S. - Jan., 2005

Molson Export - While in the Beer Store I noticed the 750mL Export can looked a bit different so I bought one to check. Lo and behold Molson has made several changes to the Export label for the first time in several years. Molson last changed the Export label in 2001. While the ship in the background is darker and the brand name and silver accenting around the label more pronounced, the main changes are to the text and its positioning. First off "Molson Export" now has silver accenting over the white lettering (previously just white). 'BIERE-ALE-BEER' is now in silver text towards the top of the can just above the blue ship. The sails on this ship now have a white/silver dot effect on them whereas on the previous can the colour is simply metallic blue. The 'Depuis 1903 Since 1903' text positioned on either side of the ship has been made larger in a different script font. '5% alc./vol.' has been moved fro the base of the can to inside the Export label at the bottom. In addtion to these changes, the Molson logo on the side panel has been changed to the 'M 1786' version and Regina has been deleted from the mandatory. *MC/TM MOLSON CANADA, 5 cities.
Ball Packaging U.S. - Feb., 2005

Molson Export - The 355mL can size has changed too with the same label changes as described above. There is one difference on this can size; the addtional colour of gold is used on the white border around the label as well as on the "BIERE-ALE-BEER" & 5% alc./vol. text (it's just silver on the 750mL can).
Ball Packaging - Feb., 2005

Sudds Ale - We're catching up on a can from last year with Sudds Ale, a 355ml can identical to the Sudds Lager we reported last Summer except for the Ale designation on the sticker affixed to the can.
Ball Packaging - 2004

Western Centennial Lager - My words at the start of this issue couldn't be more prolific with news of the Keith's 6-can, 473mL retro set and a 3-can, 355mL set from Great Western Brewing Company I've just picked up from Crown Metal Packaging as we go to press. Great Western has issued a 3-can set for a new brand, Western Centennial Lager 1905-2005 "TOASTING 100 YEARS IN SASKATCHEWAN AND ALBERTA 1905-2005" as per the gold text on the side panel. Each can is a different colour with a gold/white oval label inside of a square, gold border. The black/white label has the brand name around the outside with "LAGER" on a ribbon overlaying the bottom part of the label and the "1905-2005" text in white. Each can features a historic black/white photograph of a western scene inside the oval label. The black can in the series features a photo of a Saskatchewan Wheat Pool grain elevator. The Great Western Brewing Company, Saskatoon, SK Canada.
Crown 8054 - March, 2005

Western Centennial Lager - The maroon 355mL can in this series feature a photo of a wagon scene.
Crown 8055 - March, 2005

Western Centennial Lager - The 3rd can of this 3 can set is green with a photo of three cowboys riding horses across the prairie.
Crown 8056 - March, 2005

Wildcat Strong - Wayne also reports the band around the bottom of the 473mL Wildcat Strong can has been changed to a red colour. Labatt code 4-A-8. *TM/MC LABATT BREWING COMPANY LA BRASSERIE LABATT, 7 cities.
Ball Packaging U.S. - Jan., 2005

Back to New Cans Lists

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Bleue Dry - The first can on the list and the first new one for 2005. Editor Ted emailed a photo of a new 950ml Bleue Dry design Dave Fowler found in Quebec at the beginning of January. Similar to the previous can, this design is a very dark blue, now with a large "8.1% alc./vol." in white diagonal text across the face of the can beneath the Bleue DRY brand name. LA BRASSERIE LABATT LIMITEE, MONTREAL, QUEBEC. Ball Packaging U.S., - Jan, 2005
Brava - Larry Sherk reports Lakeport has an in-case promotion of a free 355ml Brava can included in cases of 24 bottles of Brava in Ontario. You'll recall Lakeport canned an export version of this brand for the U.S. a few years ago. Is it the same can? The things I do for the Trillium chapter; another $34.95 for a "free" can so I can report to you a new can! This is the first domestic version of Brava to be canned and it's the same basic orange and black design of the can for the U.S. LAKEPORT BREWING CORPORATION CANADA L8L 4H2 Ball Packaging - Feb., 2005
Keith's - An innocent question from Halifax member Paul Murphy asking if we have the Xmas can in Ontario has led to the discovery of another 473mL Keith's Holiday can. Unlike the 2002 version which was available in Ontario as an in-case promotion, the 2004 can was only available in Nova Scotia as an in-case promotion. Interestingly, although Keith's is brewed and canned in Halifax, 473mL cans are not sold in Nova Scotia but plentiful in Ontario Beer and Liquor stores. An odd situation indeed. The 'Pick of the Issue' is this beautiful metallic green gold and red can with a red ribbon/green bow vertically on the can and the words "Happy Holidays" in gold script at the bottom of the can (gold French text on the back panel). Maybe Keith's doesn't need the extra sales, but I for one purchased 4 or 5 cases in 2002 simply because of the Holiday can; an annual can would sure make for a great looking series! Labatt code 4-B-12P. TM/MC - KEITH'S BREWERY, HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA. Ball Packaging U.S. - Nov., 2004*
Keith's - Editor Ted reported a new Keith's can in Ontario Beer Stores at the beginning of February and interestingly it's an "8-PACK" can. Larry Sherk and I will debate this but this is the first true 355ml "8-PACK" can that has been sold in Ontario. I say first because I don't consider the Lone Star can a true 8-PACK can as that is not the text that is on the neck of the can. So, although sold in 8-packs, the Lone Star can says 'A True Texas Six Pack' on the neck, so in my opinion the Keith's can is really the first specific "8-PACK" can. The graphics on this text have changed too; nice large, white italicized text accented in green; printed overtop a gold red and silver band around the neck. Along with the metallice colours of the label, this is a really sharp looking can! Labatt code 4-B-52. TM/MC KEITH'S BREWERY, HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA. Crown 0830 - Feb., 2005*
Keith's Light - Paul Murphy also reports a new 355ml Keith's Light design just as this newsletter comes out. Keith's Light came out with it's 'current' design in 2002 and Paul says this is a small label change. Text on the neck now says, "Brewed only in Nova Scotia". New text under the stag's head says "Keith's Light Ale" and the can has some colour variation. TM/MC KEITH'S BREWERY, HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA. Crown - Feb., 2005*
Lighthouse Light Lager - Alberta member Wayne Cunningham reports another new Mountain Crest can. This is a colourful 355mL can for a new brand put out by the private Liquor store chain based in Calgary. The can is white, turquoise and two shades of blue with a Lighthouse/sea type scene. Imported by/Importe par Mountain Crest Brewing Corp. Calgary, AB, Canada T3G 4R7. Ball Packaging U.S. - Jan., 2005
Lucky Lager Force 8 - Ted emailed me a photo of a new Lucky Lager brand...a silver 355mL can for a new Strong Beer. Large red text on the face of the can says "FORCE 8" underneath LUCKY Lager. Obviously like some other brands, Black Label Supreme for example, this beer has 8.0% alc.vol. One wonders how long this brand will last. TM/MC LABATT BREWING COMPANY-LA BRASSERIE LABATT, 7 cities. Crown 0364 - Feb., 2005*
mano's Canadian WHITE TAIL - Larry also reports a stickered version of this brand from Mano's Brewhouse in Saskatoon. The silver sticker on this 355mL can says, 'Whitetail Light 4% Alc. Vol.' Ball Packaging U.S. - Jan., 2005
mano's WildLife - This 355mL can also has a silver sticker on it, this time saying 'Gulo Gulo 5% Alc. Vol.' Lets hope these sticker cans (see Sudds below) don't become a trend, as they are not really "new cans". Ball Packaging U.S. - Jan., 2005
Molson Canadian - Ted reports the 950mL version of the new Molson Canadian design finally came out in Ontario in January. This is the can with the "CANADA'S BEER" text on the back panel. MOLSON CANADA 5 cities. Ball Packaging U.S. - Jan., 2005
Molson Export - While in the Beer Store I noticed the 750mL Export can looked a bit different so I bought one to check. Lo and behold Molson has made several changes to the Export label for the first time in several years. Molson last changed the Export label in 2001. While the ship in the background is darker and the brand name and silver accenting around the label more pronounced, the main changes are to the text and its positioning. First off "Molson Export" now has silver accenting over the white lettering (previously just white). 'BIERE-ALE-BEER' is now in silver text towards the top of the can just above the blue ship. The sails on this ship now have a white/silver dot effect on them whereas on the previous can the colour is simply metallic blue. The 'Depuis 1903 Since 1903' text positioned on either side of the ship has been made larger in a different script font. '5% alc./vol.' has been moved fro the base of the can to inside the Export label at the bottom. In addtion to these changes, the Molson logo on the side panel has been changed to the 'M 1786' version and Regina has been deleted from the mandatory. MC/TM MOLSON CANADA, 5 cities. Ball Packaging U.S. - Feb., 2005*
Molson Export - The 355mL can size has changed too with the same label changes as described above. There is one difference on this can size; the addtional colour of gold is used on the white border around the label as well as on the "BIERE-ALE-BEER" & 5% alc./vol. text (it's just silver on the 750mL can). Ball Packaging - Feb., 2005
Sudds Ale - We're catching up on a can from last year with Sudds Ale, a 355ml can identical to the Sudds Lager we reported last Summer except for the Ale designation on the sticker affixed to the can. Ball Packaging - 2004
Western Centennial Lager - My words at the start of this issue couldn't be more prolific with news of the Keith's 6-can, 473mL retro set and a 3-can, 355mL set from Great Western Brewing Company I've just picked up from Crown Metal Packaging as we go to press. Great Western has issued a 3-can set for a new brand, Western Centennial Lager 1905-2005 "TOASTING 100 YEARS IN SASKATCHEWAN AND ALBERTA 1905-2005" as per the gold text on the side panel. Each can is a different colour with a gold/white oval label inside of a square, gold border. The black/white label has the brand name around the outside with "LAGER" on a ribbon overlaying the bottom part of the label and the "1905-2005" text in white. Each can features a historic black/white photograph of a western scene inside the oval label. The black can in the series features a photo of a Saskatchewan Wheat Pool grain elevator. The Great Western Brewing Company, Saskatoon, SK Canada. Crown 8054 - March, 2005
Western Centennial Lager - The maroon 355mL can in this series feature a photo of a wagon scene. Crown 8055 - March, 2005
Western Centennial Lager - The 3rd can of this 3 can set is green with a photo of three cowboys riding horses across the prairie. Crown 8056 - March, 2005
Wildcat Strong - Wayne also reports the band around the bottom of the 473mL Wildcat Strong can has been changed to a red colour. Labatt code 4-A-8. TM/MC LABATT BREWING COMPANY LA BRASSERIE LABATT, 7 cities. Ball Packaging U.S. - Jan., 2005*