United States: MillerCoors to relaunch Coors Light in aluminium bottle ‘once package defects and supply issues are resolved’

MillerCoors, a joint venture of SABMiller PLC and Molson Coors Brewing Co., has suspended distribution of its Coors Light aluminium pint bottle because demand for the two-month-old product has outstripped supply, Beer Business Daily reports.

The Coors Light Silver Bullet Aluminum Pint, which has a resealable twist-off cap, was launched in September. MillerCoors began offering a similar bottle for Miller Lite last year, according to MillerCoors' website.

"Demand for the aluminium pint has outstripped supply, and we have had ongoing supply issues with the Coors Light Aluminium Pint since its introduction," MillerCoors said in a letter to distributors, according to Beer Business Daily. "Because of the fixed aluminium pint capacity from our supplier and recurring package integrity issues, we have been unable to satisfactorily supply our customers."

The company also said in the letter that package problems occasionally resulted in bad-tasting beer, according to Beer Business Daily.

MillerCoors said the decision is "the right one" for Miller Lite, as the company can now fully meet demand for Miller Lite, according to the letter cited by Beer Business Daily. The letter said it will relaunch the Coors Light packaging "once package defects and supply issues are resolved."

A representative from MillerCoors wasn't immediately available for comment.

08 December, 2010