The present invention describes both a stretch-blow-molded opaque polyester container and a method of making it. The container, typically a beverage bottle has less than 15% transmission of visible light (500 nm) through a 0.4 millimeter wall thickness. It contains from about 0.1 to about 5wt. % of said opacifying material. The opacifying material may be any material compatible with polyester resin. The method of making the container includes introducing the opacifying material during polymerization, or prepared as a master batch for mixing with the polymer. Selection of certain opacifying materials can also result in favorable reheat properties, gas permeation-barrier improvements, and when the resin contains both opacifying material and oxygen scavenger there can be a synergistic effect with respect to CO 2 permeation.