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sure bets Samuel Adams to Launch Flagship Product Boston Lager in "Sam Cans" Samuel Adams recently announced that for the first time it plans to offer Samuel Adams Boston Lager in cans. The new can design, the product of two years of ergonomic and sensory research and testing, aims to provide a drinking experience that is closer to the taste and comfort of drinking beer from a glass. The "Sam Can" will hit shelves in early summer 2013, just in time for warm weather sporting events, boating trips and beach days. "The debate over bottles versus cans has been a sticking point for brewers in the craft beer community for years," said Jim Koch, founder of Samuel Adams. "In the past, I had my doubts about putting Sam Adams in a can, because I wasn't convinced that Boston Lager would taste as good as it does from a bottle. But cans have changed, and I believe we've designed a can that provides a slight but noticeably better drinking experience than the standard beer can." Koch and the other brewers at Samuel Adams first worked with can manufacturer Ball Corporation to better understand can design, as well as how to package premium beer in cans. The brewers then worked with a design team at IDEO, a recognized global design firm to create their own unique packaging. Finally, Samuel Adams enlisted the help of sensory expert, Roy Desrochers of GEI Consultants and a recognized beer flavor expert for the Master Brewer's Association of the Americas. With Desrochers' help, Koch studied every aspect of the new can, from how it could potentially impact the flavor of Samuel Adam's flagship Boston Lager to the ergonomics of how the beer flows from the can and hits the taste receptors on the drinker's tongue. "I worked with Jim and the other brewers at Sam Adams on an ergonomic and flavor study to understand the benefits of the new can," said Desrochers. "The flared lip and wider top of the new Sam Can work in concert to deliver the beer in a way that makes the flavor closer to drinking out of a glass. Although subtle, this can delivers a more pronounced, more balanced flavor experience, something that was very important to the brewers. The extended lip of the can also creates a smoother, more comfortable overall drinking experience." The difference in drinking out of the new can as compared to a standard can will be modest, but drinkers should notice enhanced flavors and a more comfortable experience. The position of the can open- SK Energy Named Number One Energy Product of the Year SK Energy Shots, was recognized as the Number One Energy Product for 2013 by Product of the Year USA. Product of the Year is the world's largest consumer-voted program that recognizes innovation in consumer packaged goods. In a category where customers seemed long resigned to the belief that "energy that works" equates to "energy that hurts," SK Energy Shots has seen success by offering consumers a "better for you," tastier source of energy than the products to which they are accustomed. SK Energy is made with premium ingredients, including antioxidants, caffeine from coffee beans, 100 percent natural flavors and vitamins A, B6, B8, B12, C and E. In addition, the product shuns more controversial ingredients, like taurine, guarana and artificial caffeine. Striking a delicate balance between potency and purity was a key reason SK Energy was awarded this year's Energy Product of the Year prize. SK Energy has successfully brought new, health-conscious consumers into the energy category, while at the same time converting existing energy product users who are looking for that better source of energy. SK Energy already has a number of celebrity devotees, including 4 C onvenienceRETAILER May/June 2013 five-time Pro Bowl and NFL superstar Wes Welker and wide receiver Miles Austin, as well as Genevieve Boulanger, fitness trainer to the stars. Boulanger gives SK to her clients so that they can power through two-a-day workouts. "We all need energy, and we all love the way energy makes us feel, but the reality is there were no options for people like us, people who care about what they put into their bodies," said SK Energy CEO Chris Clarke. "We were driven to create a product that gives consumers the energy boost they are looking for without the compromise…Winning 2013 energy product of the year is confirmation of everything we've been doing and everything we believe in." SK Energy Shots was originally cofounded by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson and social entrepreneur, Chris Clarke. Demonstrating the company's commitment to social causes, every energy shot sold provides a meal to a hungry child through the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). SK Energy shots are available in 100 percent natural berry, orange and grape flavors, and they are sold at over 40,000 locations nationwide, including 7-11, Rite Aid, GNC, Walgreens, and CVS. n ing and wider lid naturally opens up the mouth allowing for more air flow. In addition, it positions the drinker's nose closer to the hop aromas of the beer. Drinkers will also notice that the extended, curved lip of the can delivered the beer to the front of the palate to maximize the early enjoyment of the malt sweetness. Packaging beer in cans provides consumers with a number of advantages. Drinkers prefer cans in certain circumstances where bottles are often not allowed or are not convenient, such as beaches, parks, pools, sporting events, boats and airplanes. Samuel Adams Boston Lager in cans will be available in 12-packs nationwide, beginning in early summer, for a suggested retail price of $14.99 to $17.99. For more information, visit www.samueladams.com. n C onvenienceRETAILER Lee M. Oser CEO and Editor-in-Chief Lyle Sapp Senior Associate Publisher Director of Sales Kate Seymour Senior Associate Publisher Kim Forrester Jeff Rosano Associate Publishers Lorrie Baumann Editorial Director Lucas Witman Editor Jazmine Woodberry Associate Editor JoEllen Lowry Ana Venne Contributing Editors Janice Bauer Art Director Yasmine Brown Graphic Designer Ruth Haltiwanger Nicholas Travassos Traffic Managers Lynn Hilton Account Manager Enrico Cecchi European Sales Convenience Retailer is published by Oser Communications Group ©2013. BPA Worldwide Member since June 22, 2009. All rights reserved. Executive and editorial offices at: 1877 N. Kolb Road, Tucson, AZ 85715 520.721.1300/Fax: 520.721.6300 www.oser.com www.convenienceretailer.net European offices located at Lungarno Benvenuto Cellini, 11, 50125 Florence, Italy. Snacking Gets A Spicy Kick with Tapatío-Flavored Frito-Lay Snacks With consumers' love of hot sauce showing no signs of slowing any time soon, PepsiCo's Frito-Lay division is partnering with one of the most popular hot sauce varieties available, Tapatio, to offer consumers two new ways to enjoy the heat: Lay's Tapatío Limón flavored potato chips and Cheetos Tapatío flavored snacks. The two new product offerings join the existing lineup of snacks in the Tapatío and FritoLay brand partnership, which include Ruffles Tapatío Limón flavored potato chips and Doritos Tapatío flavored tortilla chips. All four products are now available at retail locations in the western and central United States. The hot sauce category continues to experience tremendous growth with sales increasing by approximately 150 percent over the past decade. Both Lay's Tapatío Limón flavored potato chips and Cheetos Tapatío flavored snacks include a unique combination of red chili peppers, spices and a hint of garlic, the same ingredients in the original Tapatío hot sauce recipe. Lay's Tapatío Limón flavored potato chips bring that flavor up a notch, pairing it with lime juice for a spicy, tangy twist. "We know that many of our consumers are already pairing their favorite hot sauce with their favorite Frito-Lay snacks," said Ram Krishnan, Vice President of Marketing for Frito-Lay North America. "Whether consumers are relaxing at home with Lay's potato chips or hanging out with the family having fun with Cheetos snacks, we're excited to offer two hot new ways to enjoy great snacking." Tapatio hot sauce was first introduced to consumers in the early 1970s. Founder Jose-Luis Saavedra, Sr. began by making batches of hot sauce from his family home and personally delivering bottles of the finished product to local Los Angeles markets. Tapatio is now a staple in homes and restaurants across the United States. "Tapatío hot sauce and Frito-Lay have a shared passion for bringing great tasting, high-quality products to our consumers," said Luis Saavedra, Sr. "This partnership allows us to continue to bring our famous hot sauce to new customers, while providing a fun way for our existing fans to experience their favorite hot sauce flavors." New Lay's Tapatío Limón flavored potato chips are available in 2.875-oz. bags for $1.49, 7-oz. bags for $2.99 and 9.5-oz. bags for $4.29. New Cheetos Tapatío flavored snacks are available in 1.125-oz. bags for $.50, 3.75-oz. bags for $1.49 and 9.5-oz. bags for $3.49. n

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