Comments on: The Grocery Shrink Ray Attacks the Beer Aisle

By: Steven Tierney

Steven Tierney — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 20:03:55 +0000

I’m from the U.K. The incredible shrinking bottles are here too: Most beer bottles in my local store have, in the last six months, shrunk from 330ml (11.1oz) to 275ml (9.3oz). I’m sure the glass must weigh about the same as the beer!

By: c

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 07:02:59 +0000

The first two beers I noticed to do this were Carlsberg and Guinness, and they started at least 3 years ago.

But I found your blog because I was aghast to find out that one my favorites, Czechvar (aka Budvar) has now made the switch. Believe it or not, without looking the label, I knew the beer was finished too quickly!!!!!

By: LC

LC — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 04:25:02 +0000

I flew business class on KLM and the Heineken beer they served (the only kind, go figure) came in 8 oz (about) cans.

That’s like three hearty sips. Depressing.

It took a lot of those little beers to make the movie I was watching somewhat entertaining….

By: Terry

Terry — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 18:10:13 +0000

It has started to hit canned tuna. The standard can has weighed in for decades at six ounces.

Some brands have been shrunken to five ounces.

By: sam

sam — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 22:24:10 +0000

Interesting. I thought Utah was the only state with weird liquor laws. Doesn’t matter to me anyway as I almost always drink American beers.

By: mapgirl

mapgirl — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 20:21:26 +0000

After doing some online shopping with my bf for a crazy obscure Belgian craft beer (Achel blond), I’m pretty sure that 33cL bottles are the standard European size for bottles and that in some way, the ‘downsizing’ you perceive is merely Americans getting used to the metric way of things that everyone else uses. The price just hasn’t been adjusted down.

I’d save your ire for something else, like a downsized bottle of wine that’s no longer 750mL but 725mL. (Which will probably never happen. Just buy a split instead! aka 375mL)

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:52:06 +0000

Have you noticed the new coffee-flavored energy drinks from companies like Monster?

The standard carbonated energy drinks are a 16 oz can and cost about $2.19. The coffee-flavored drinks come in a similar can but are only 15 oz and cost $2.39 or more.

By: Rich

Rich — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 18:21:34 +0000

That’s some shrinkage…

11.2oz & isn’t a lot of the beer in certain states 3.2% alcohol content?

What about US pint sizes vs. English pints. Aren’t imperial pints 22oz. vs. the US’s 16oz? Why the differences?

By: KC

KC — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 02:26:52 +0000

Good beer is priceless. I’m fond of Abita Amber and I’d pay $10 for a six pack. I don’t drink a lot though. Maybe a beer every other night on average. If I drank more frequently I’d drink cheaper beer. But then I’d stop drinking all together if I had to drink really cheap beer like Bud or Miller.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 13:33:06 +0000

As someone who works in the imported beer industry, I can tell you that Kimberley is right. Each state has different laws about what they can / cannot sell, and until recently 11.2 oz bottles were not allowed. Many imported beers, however, are bottled at this size and have been for a long time.

As to Jason’s comment about the mini-Coronas, a few points:
They are called Coronitas, and they are a separate product from regular Corona bottles. Coronitas are actually 7oz bottles, and they were created to reach out to they many people who either A) want to enjoy just a half a beer and B) don’t drink beer very quickly and like their beer to stay cold. I assure you it has nothing to do with “tricking” customers into buying less beer for more… They are priced accordingly to their smaller size.