SMALL BOTTLES, BIG BEER
Rogue selling its XS Series in Nip Bottles
By JOHN HOLL
For BeerNexus.com
Sometimes all you want is a taste.
Step into your local beer shop and it’s not uncommon to see shelf after
shelf of brews from hundreds of breweries in all styles and a variety of
packaging. From the ubiquitous cans and 12 bottles to the more
elaborate cage and cork bottles, some with wax seals and yet others with
swing tops.
Breweries it seems have been trending not only towards big beers –
with a high alcohol or IBU punch – but big bottles as well. Special
offerings often come in 22oz or 750ml offerings, and some breweries use
them as their primary packaging.
Rogue Ales of Oregon is one such brewery that bottles most of its beer
in 22oz “bomber bottles” or 750ml ceramic vessels.
Now, rogue is Rogue is in the process of rolling out 7oz nip bottles.
Yes. 7oz, less than half a pint. But, just because the bottles are small it
doesn’t mean the beers are. The nips will hold the Rogue XS series, the
beers where Rogue brewers have fun, get a little crazy and kick up the
alcohol content and get unique with ingredients.
“It’s a kind-of return to our heritage,” said Brett Joyce, president of
Rogue. “When we first released XS, we offered them in 7oz bottles
before we moved to the ceramic 750ml bottles.”
Joyce said the move back to 7oz was largely economical. “The proportion
of cost of beer and cost of bottle got of control.”
So, the ceramics will be retired, but could make an appearance for
“specials beers” down the road, said Joyce.
The brewery is also changing up its release schedule for the XS series,
said Joyce. Where as the beers were available year round, the beers will
now become seasonal offerings.
Currently, the Russian Imperial Stout is on shelves. In April it will be
replaced by the Imperial Red. Summer months will bring the YSB English
Bitter and I2PA. Late Fall will bring a Scotch Ale and by December the Old
Crustacean Barley Wine will be on shelves.
7oz bottles are nothing new, of course. On the east, there are beers like
Rolling Rock that are known for their green 7oz bottles, that many know
as pony bottles. During the summer, it’s not unusual to see smaller
bottles of Corona, known as Coronita, just about anywhere the sun is out
and there is water close by.
Joyce said that the bottles will retail individually for about $3.99 each.
“It’s a third of the price from the larger bottles,” he said. “It’s an
affordable way to have access to variety.”
John Holl writes about craft beer and the culture of drinking.
He may be reached at johnholl@gmail.com
Rogue selling its XS Series in Nip Bottles
By JOHN HOLL
For BeerNexus.com
Sometimes all you want is a taste.
Step into your local beer shop and it’s not uncommon to see shelf after
shelf of brews from hundreds of breweries in all styles and a variety of
packaging. From the ubiquitous cans and 12 bottles to the more
elaborate cage and cork bottles, some with wax seals and yet others with
swing tops.
Breweries it seems have been trending not only towards big beers –
with a high alcohol or IBU punch – but big bottles as well. Special
offerings often come in 22oz or 750ml offerings, and some breweries use
them as their primary packaging.
Rogue Ales of Oregon is one such brewery that bottles most of its beer
in 22oz “bomber bottles” or 750ml ceramic vessels.
Now, rogue is Rogue is in the process of rolling out 7oz nip bottles.
Yes. 7oz, less than half a pint. But, just because the bottles are small it
doesn’t mean the beers are. The nips will hold the Rogue XS series, the
beers where Rogue brewers have fun, get a little crazy and kick up the
alcohol content and get unique with ingredients.
“It’s a kind-of return to our heritage,” said Brett Joyce, president of
Rogue. “When we first released XS, we offered them in 7oz bottles
before we moved to the ceramic 750ml bottles.”
Joyce said the move back to 7oz was largely economical. “The proportion
of cost of beer and cost of bottle got of control.”
So, the ceramics will be retired, but could make an appearance for
“specials beers” down the road, said Joyce.
The brewery is also changing up its release schedule for the XS series,
said Joyce. Where as the beers were available year round, the beers will
now become seasonal offerings.
Currently, the Russian Imperial Stout is on shelves. In April it will be
replaced by the Imperial Red. Summer months will bring the YSB English
Bitter and I2PA. Late Fall will bring a Scotch Ale and by December the Old
Crustacean Barley Wine will be on shelves.
7oz bottles are nothing new, of course. On the east, there are beers like
Rolling Rock that are known for their green 7oz bottles, that many know
as pony bottles. During the summer, it’s not unusual to see smaller
bottles of Corona, known as Coronita, just about anywhere the sun is out
and there is water close by.
Joyce said that the bottles will retail individually for about $3.99 each.
“It’s a third of the price from the larger bottles,” he said. “It’s an
affordable way to have access to variety.”
John Holl writes about craft beer and the culture of drinking.
He may be reached at johnholl@gmail.com
John Holl
A Journalist Looks at Beer
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