Hiballin’: It’s All About the Glass

Hiball Energy Water Found at Fresh Market in Kenwood, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Most discussions about Hiball sparkling energy drinks focus on the caffeine content of the beverage. (With 7.5 mg of caffeine per fluid ounce, a 10 oz. bottle has 75 mg total and, per ounce, it has less caffeine than a Starbucks Double Shot, but, per item, more than a can of Coca-Cola Classic or a Hershey’s Special Dark Bar.)

What’s more compelling about this product is its bottle. It’s glass. And Hiball is proud of choosing glass instead of plastic. On the “About” page of their popping website (click on “Why glass?” on the bottom left), designed by Steve Holmes of Energi Design, they’ve included a link to a list of reasons why glass is more sustainable and healthier than PET. This is a message other brands might want to note. Not only is glass more sustainable, it’s also nontoxic, impermeable, nonporous, has a longer shelf life, more attractive, and it’s retro.

Also interesting is the earlier redesign of the glass bottle. Alyssa Warnock’s graphic design has gone largely unchanged since the product was launched, but there is evidence that the bottle went from short and stout to tall and thin. Such changes happen all the time in the packaging industry, but since Hiball is a small brand with wide distribution, it’s especially intriguing that this change occurred within the first decade of the product. It would be interesting to know how this change came about and when. Hint-hint, Hiballers.

Short + Stout Hiball Bottles via popsop

Tall + Thin via Hiball Downloads on hiballer.com

Hiball energy waters and juices can be found on Amazon or at Safeway, Stop & Shop, Hannaford, HEB, Central Market, Shaws, Fred Meyer, Giant Eagle, Sunflower, Bristol Farms, The Fresh Market, Earth Fare, Albertsons, and Whole Foods.