Suntory Group is launching a new, innovative project where it will sell special bottles of its Premium Malt beer using blockchain technology

Suntory Group, the famous Japanese beverage company known for its premium products like Yamazaki Whisky, is launching a unique pilot project that combines its iconic Premium Malt’s beer with blockchain technology. Starting in mid-November 2024, Suntory will release a limited batch of its Premium Malt’s beer, which has been aged in Yamazaki Whisky barrels, to the Japanese market. These special bottles will include near-field communication (NFC) technology on the neck of the bottle.

When consumers open the bottle and break the NFC seal, they will receive a Non-Fungible Token (NFT) as a certificate of consumption. This NFT will act as a digital collectible, allowing Premium Malt’s fans to enjoy a unique, tech-enabled experience alongside their beer.

The announcement was made by Suntory’s Chief Digital Innovation Officer, Rio “Popeye” Inaba, and Roi Hirata, Head of Ava Labs Japan, during the Thailand Blockchain Week.

This collaboration uses the Avalanche blockchain platform, known for its high speed and scalability, to create a seamless and secure experience for consumers engaging with the tokenized beer bottles. Suntory’s new project aims to blend the traditional world of premium beverages with the innovative possibilities of blockchain technology.