S&N to add widgets to Fosters and Kronenbourg lager cans

Licensees could find fewer drinkers of Fosters and Kronenbourg in their pubs after brand owner Scottish & Newcastle UK announced it was going to fit widgets in canned versions of the two lagers.

The new cans will be available from 14 April 2008 and the lagers are said to taste closer to draught versions that are served in pubs than the existing canned products that are available.

S&NUK said it was the first time widgets had been used for lager since Guinness introduced them around 20 years ago.

The new lager widget is different from the ones used in Guinness and smooth/creamflow bitters and stouts.

It will release smaller bubbles and give the lagers a lively head not too dissimilar from their draught lager stable-mates.

Cans of Fosters will be labelled as In-can Scuba, while cans of Kronenbourg can will carry the message Dynamo Système.

S&NUK's sales managing director Mark Gerken said: "At a time when the retail industry is being closely scrutinised for its approach to discount prices on alcohol, we have delivered a product that gives retailers the chance to offer consumers a superb profit opportunity and drives value back into the category as a whole."​

S&NUK will spend £12m on an advertising and promotional campaign, which kicks off on TV in June.

The new lagers will sell at a premium of around 15% compared with the non-widget versions.