a plastic container includes an upper portion having a mouth defining an opening into the container . a shoulder region extends from the upper portion . a sidewall portion extends between the shoulder region and a base portion . the base portion closes off an end of the container . a vacuum panel region defined in part by at least two vacuum panels . each of the vacuum panels are movable to accommodate vacuum forces generated within the container resulting from heating and cooling of its contents . the vacuum panel region occupies an area outboard of the sidewall portion .