Theakston Shaped Can
Objectives
To consolidate working partnerships with both can suppliers and Scottish Courage and maintain market position as sole filler of shaped cans in the UK.
Further to develop techniques for achieving high concentrations of dissolved nitrogen within the product to meet customer aspiration of uniformity with cask conditioned variant.
Project Details
From the outset, this project demanded an integrated approach with teams from within Charles Wells, Scottish Courage and a range of material and equipment suppliers.
The expertise for filling shaped cans was pre existing following other similar work, however we had to refine the technique to fill a liquid containing dissolved nitrogen levels in excess of 70 ppm. A steep learning curve followed and included the use of novel membrane technology to pre nitrogenate the beer stream prior to filling.
Ultimately it was determined that the product when equilibrated in a closed shaped can did not contain sufficient dissolved nitrogen to mimic the draught dispense presentation desired. This was principally as a consequence of the large head space in a shaped can filled at 500ml.
The solution to the problem was to use a liquid nitrogen droplet dosed into cans prior to seaming the closure. This again was new to Jarvis and required close working with our own personnel, Scottish Courage and air products. Much of the installation, particularly the nitrogen tunnel needed to exclude oxygen from the nitrogen stream, was engineered in-house.
Project Outcome
A shaped can solution was delivered which achieved the customers expectations for both package and product presentation to the consumer.