IBP NEWS
REINVENTING THE SIX-PACK
PACKAGING INNOVATION CAN TAKE MANY
SHAPES AND SIZES. FOR A SMALL SOUTH
FINLAND BREWERY, INNOVATION TOOK THE
FORM OF A MOTORBIKE ENGINE, RARING TO GO.

Olutmylly is a family brewery operating in Forssa in Finland.

With a major rebranding in 2020, the brewery is acutely aware
of what it takes to make it in a very competitive market – not
only do you need a top-notch product, you also have to ‘make
it pop’ in the store. Fortunately, Olutmylly was able to connect
with the visionary graphic packaging team at Metsä Board.

“Our new beer tasting package is the coolest six-pack
around,” grins Anne Silmälä, the Managing Director of
Olutmylly. The core idea of the package is to showcase six
different beers from the Olutmylly selection, while taking
brand identity to another level.

“The Metsä Board design delivers the total visual and
functional experience,” Silmälä says, while admitting to having
been ‘blown away’ by the idea.

“The vision for the package was unique, and we’re just so
happy that the execution meets the high expectations that
were set.”
Brewmaster Mikko Silmälä remarks that the
project was a real winner, from start to finish.

“The cans pop like pistons in an
engine, and the beer selection is
exquisite,” he muses.

Graphic Packaging Designer,
Marko Leiviskä from Metsä
Board says the collaboration
was a ‘match made in
heaven’. “Starting with the
initial idea in December
2024, we were able to
proceed very fast,”
Leiviskä says, crediting the
small brewery for being quick
on their feet.

“Smaller companies can be more
flexible with packaging solutions
and willing to stand out more when it
comes to design. This was certainly the
case here,” he looks back.

14 INTERNATIONAL BOTTLER & PACKER | JULY 2025