The Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) announced the winners of its 2017 Clear Choice Awards, recognizing the country’s top brands and manufacturers that create first-rate designs to shape powerful brand experiences. The eight winners, ranging in categories from “Beer & Cider” to “Non-Alcoholic Beverage” were recognized during a ceremony today at the national Packaging That Sells Conference in Chicago.
The winning glass containers were selected by an independent panel of food and beverage packaging professionals, including Tom Bobak, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, American Craft Beer; Peter Chamberlain, Associate Director, Myron E. Ullman Jr. School of Design, University of Cincinnati; Geoff Kleinman, Editor, DrinkSpirits.com; and Denise Purcell, Head of Content for the Specialty Food Association.
“This year’s Clear Choice Award winners stood out for designs that modernized classic packaging, brought brand stories and histories to life, or added unexpected elements to convey the quality and distinctiveness of the products inside,” says Purcell.
Winners include:
Beer and Cider: Coolcumber, Wicked Weed Brewing, Manufactured by Ardagh Group
Wine: Robert Mondavi Private Selection, Constellation Brands, Manufactured by Ardagh Group
Spirits: Wild Turkey Rare Breed, Manufactured by O-I
Flavored Alcoholic Beverage: SpikedSeltzer, Boathouse Beverage LLC, Manufactured by Ardagh Group
Non-Alcoholic Beverage: Crazy Water Company, Manufactured by O-I
Food: Ball® Sharing Jars, Newell Brands, Manufactured by Ardagh Group
Cosmetics, Fragrances & Other: Josie Maran Argan Reserve, Manufactured by Vitro
Newcomer to Glass Packaging (Including Reversions): Oui by Yoplait, Manufactured by O-I
Read more about the winners and download high-resolution photos on UpgradeToGlass.com.
“In today’s increasingly competitive marketplace, the packaging design can be as important as the products themselves,” says Bobak. “This year’s Clear Choice Award competition presented us with more modern glass options, and made choosing ‘the best’ in any given category both a challenge and a pleasure.”
Since 1989, the Clear Choice Awards has honored consumer product goods manufacturers who find unique ways to use glass packaging to tell the story of their brand, create glass packaging designs that stand out on the shelf, and demonstrate novel glass packaging looks.
“The 2017 Clear Choice Award winners really show off how glass bottles allow brands to get the look and feel that connects with consumers,” says Lynn Bragg, president of GPI. “Every year, the vast majority of new products launched in beer, wine and spirits are packaged in glass containers, and GPI, through the Clear Choice Awards, is proud to recognize and celebrate the leaders in innovation and design.”