The Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) announces the winners of its 2012 Clear Choice Awards. This year, eight consumer product goods companies were recognized for their achievements in creating innovative glass packages with shelf impact. Entries were judged on innovation, package design (including container label and closure) and consumer appeal. While there are eight specific product categories, Skinnygirl Vodka, made by Beam Global Wine and Spirits Inc., was named the overall winner by a panel of independent judges. The glass container for Skinnygirl Vodka is manufactured by Vitro.

The specific category winners are:

Beer Category
Product: Bud Light Platinum
Company: Anheuser-Busch InBev
Glass Manufacturer: Verallia North America

Wine Category
Product: WindRacer 2010 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
Company: Jackson Family Wines
Glass Manufacturer: Verallia North America

Distilled Spirits Category (tie)
Product: Fris Vodka
Company: Pernod-Ricard
Glass Manufacturer: Verallia North America

Product: Woodford Reserve® Master's Collection New Cask Rye
Company: Brown-Forman
Glass Manufacturer: Owens-Illinois

Flavored Alcoholic Beverage Category
Product: Skinnygirl Vodka with Natural Flavors
Company: Beam Global Wine and Spirits Inc.
Glass Manufacturer: Vitro North America

Food Category
Product: Grandma Hoerner's All Natural Pecan Pie Filling
Company: Grandma Hoerner's Foods
Glass Manufacturer: Ardagh Group

Non-Carbonated Beverage Category
Product: Honeydrop
Company: Honeydrop Beverages
Glass Manufacturer: Vitro

Carbonated Beverage Category
Product: Boylan Premium Soda
Company: Boylan Bottling Co.
Glass Manufacturer: Owens-Illinois

Fragrance/Cosmetics/Other Category
Product: "A" is for Aldo
Company: ALDO GROUP
Glass Manufacturer: Vitro

The panel of judges included a packaging design expert from Michigan State University, a reporter from a beverage industry trade publication and a manager of a Trader Joe's store.

In addition, Fris Vodka was selected as the winner of the People's Choice Competition. Voting for this selection was conducted over a one-week period on GPI's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ChooseGlass).

"The entries for this year's Clear Choice Awards showcased a trend in the artistry and value-add that glass packaging provides to the consumer," saysLynn Bragg, president of the GPI. "Nothing communicates purity, quality and value to consumers like a well-designed glass package."

This year's winners typify why so many high-end products are packaged in glass. Numerous food, beverage and fragrance companies recognize that glass is the optimal packaging choice because it preserves the integrity of their products, while also being 100% and endlessly recyclable.

The 2012 Clear Choice Awards winners receive benefit from industry-wide recognition and brand-building promotion. The winning products are also on display at PACK EXPO, a leading industry trade show currently happening in Chicago.

 Images of the winning products can be found at GPI.org.