position the cutting projections 80 are completely disposed within the cylindrical base 24 as the cylindrical base 24 is rotated the cutting projections 80 are driven downward through a window 96 in the spout 50 against the top surface 14 of the thin walled beverage pouch 10 further rotation of the cylindrical base 24 drives the cutting projections 80 to pierce the top surface 14 of the beverage pouch 10 breaking the seal and creating a passage for the beverage to enter the nipple 12 when the beverage pouch is inverted gravity will cause the fluid to pass through the newly created opening in the top surface 14 caused by the cutting projections 80 and enter the nipple where it can be sucked out through the small opening 22 at the distal end in an alternative embodiment the cylindrical base can be the component that drives the piercing member 70 by further rotation on the spout 50 that is the nipple is rotated onto the spout 50 to provide a secure engagement to ensure that the nipple 12 will not become dislodged or accidentally removed from the pouch 10 when the user is ready to open the pouch the cylindrical base 24 is rotated clockwise to drive the piercing member 70 downward by virtue of the movement of the driving teeth 64 as described above in this embodiment there is no need for a portion of the nipple 12 to rotate independently of the rest of the nipple simplifying the mechanism in a preferred embodiment the spout 50 can be attached to the pouch 10 at.