Heineken creates beer ice cubes in Thailand and Laos

Heineken Laos and Wunderman Thompson Thailand have teamed up to create Heineken Star Ice, using new technology to make beer ice cubes which are 20% colder than regular ice.

Heineken Star Ice has been developed by the two companies to pay tribute to the beer with ice culture prevalent in Thailand and Laos.

Wunderman Thompson Thailand and Heineken Laos have managed to transform Heineken beer into ice cubes, using a blast freezing technique.

Creating ice cubes made from beer posed a challenge due to its freezing point, which is distinct from that of water.

There are several factors that influence how quickly and easily a beer can freeze, such as alcohol content, type of container it is stored in, and storage temperature. Generally speaking, higher alcohol content beers will take longer to freeze, while lighter beers and those stored in glass bottles can freeze more quickly. Beer stored at -16°C has the potential to freeze solid, according to Silverking Brewing.

Heineken’s technique saw the beer immediately frozen at -35°C to ensure that the beer is transformed into ice without compromising its taste.

The ice cubes, which have been formed in the shape of the Heineken star, are 20% colder than regular ice, the company claims. They also melt at a rate two times slower than typical ice.

Fahmi Rajendra, marketing director, Heineken Laos, said: “Inviting our local consumers in Laos to have good times with Heineken; the beer that is part of their world; while still enjoying their local beer drinking culture.”

Park Wannasiri, chief creative officer of Wunderman Thompson, commented on the innovation: “We take pride in fusing global brand excellence with the beauty of local traditions. The creation of Heineken Star Ice was a passionate journey that embraced the ‘Beer with Ice’ culture, reimagining tradition with an innovative freeze.”