The Antillia Brewing Company has been working with its North American manufacturer to produce one litre lightweight, refillable bottles.
The company is calling this as its fresh ale 'growler' program under which, it will get the bottles and bottling equipment to the brewery and will make them available at select accounts across St Lucia. Antillia will sell individual growlers at cost directly to consumers who can return them for refill.
The brewery said that this practice would help it eliminate the repeat packaging costs that contribute in increasing prices.
Antillia Brewing CEO Andrew Hashey said: "The introduction of creative and unique packaging options is key to developing any new market, especially for small craft breweries. Growlers have proven to be cost effective way to get fresh ale from the brewery to home or accounts and a winning solution for consumers craving a take home package.
"For St. Lucia we chose an option tailor made for direct to consumer retail and also unique and attractive for resorts, hotels, restaurants and bars that recognize that their clients are demanding quality craft beers. The lightweight PET bottle can go places that restrict glass and protects the beer very well".
The company beleives the practice of refilling bottles will benefit consumers as they will only need to pay for the ale and not the packaging.
"We want to make a difference on the island as a good corporate citizen. We do not want to litter the streets and landfills with brewery packaging. These bottles are cheaper to transport across the island to accounts and they have unlimited refill potential.
"We are now looking at similar options for the kegs we will fill to meet demand to put our craft beers on tap at select accounts," adds Hashey.
Image: Antillia's ale will be made available in one litre lightweight, refillable bottles. Photo: courtesy of Antillia Brewing Company.
