(Boston, MA) – Still in the midst of taking notes on the second quarter earnings conference call. Lots of interesting discussion around packaging innovation capabilities. Does that mean cans for Samuel Adams? One could jump to that conclusion though Boston Beer Co. CEO, Martin Roper, didn’t utter the word “cans.” Below, I’ve captured some quotes from Roper so that you have the full context. The company hasn’t put Samuel Adams beer in cans yet due to concerns around alleged flavor absorption in the can liner.

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“We’re also adding some capabilities around our ability to support the innovation in packages in the beer space and also with our tea and cider brands so there is some packaging capabilities that will be planned to be added in time for 2013.”

“[Some investments will allow us] to be able to do, in the future, a wider range of bottles shapes and sizes and finishes or package configurations in the future.”

“It sort of relates to packages that we’ve historically used third-parties for and as that volume has grown, it brings the potential for bringing that inside. I don’t think it’s a shift that one will see externally but more, basically, building our internal capabilities to control our own capacity and be able to respond to what our business needs appropriately.”

“It’s probably more about security of supply and bottom line [inaudible word here] but it also gives us greater flexibility on innovation on different package sizes but at this time, I can’t comment on specifics.”