Which brewery needs to change their packaging and labeling

OMG - picking a wine or beer based on the label is like playing Russian Roulette!!!, although I see where you're going with this. Some breweries have the money to build better labels, and others just have the talent in-house - but it can go the other way... what if the great label is just a mask for mediocre beer?

And then there's this conundrum for the brewer - not everyone has the same taste in visual design. Is a traditional label best? Or should we market to a younger crowd with something hip and new? And then the whole "actual package" issue comes into play, meaning is a 16 fl. oz. aluminum can better than a brown glass "Belgian-style" corked & caged bottle? And which is more environmentally conscious? Which cost less to ship? Which will get better shelf space?

The question here is bigger than which brewery can use updated labeling, but let's hear what everyone has to say

 

You know they just changed all their packaging last year, right? I personally like the new style they incorporate, especially if you really look at the artwork. Lots of things "hidden" in each label picture. Hell, they even go into detail as to the specific design of each label on the corresponding beer's page on their website.

 

I feel like a broken record, but holy shit Hoppin' Frog.

 

Why would you choose a beer based on what the label looks like? That's like saying I'm not going to McDonald's because I don't like that M logo they use. Really?

 

I like labels, but as long as the brewery spends time and money first on making the liquid in the bottle excellent then I don't care about the outside much. It sucks when a brewery comes up with awesome artwork and then the beer is mediocre.

That said, I would love to see Troegs do an un-revamp and go back to the old labels

 

Most labels are just childish, and I assume that if they have childish labels, they have a childish or "memeish" taste in beers as well. I pass on that junk.

 

The Memeiest beers are the dankest though.

 

I liked the old Deschutes labels. The new ones aren't terrible, but something about an oval says "there is beer in here".

As for something that needs to go: Against the Grain Brown Note. Jesus, people.

 

I don't pick beer based on the label, none the less, I appreciate nice art work on it. Not a fan of the extreme bizarre art work though.

 

Boulevard's new labels are the best.

 

I censored their labels at the last place I managed with a blank address label that had "CENSORED" handwritten across it. No room for that garbage in a classy restaurant. Their liquid isn't that great, either, so I dropped them.

I don't really get caught up in labels at all, anymore, but Starr Hill just blows. They revamped their artwork last year to something that looked even worse. Not surprised their head rep, president, and CEO left within the last six months. That place is just genuinely out of touch.

 

Do not ever underestimate packaging as a key factor in successful marketing. I could cite Sierra Nevada as hitting the perfect packaging mark for the greatest number of targeted consumers. Their beer quality assures repeat buys. Weyerbacher has traditionally struggled with packaging, but it seems to be improving. English beer packaging seems to stand out. Horny Goat seems pretty weak, but maybe it works?

 

A few months ago, I would have suggested Bell's, but they seem to be tightening up their packaging and it looks a lot better already.

Green Flash needs a serious overhaul. Looks like some kind of corporate PowerPoint presentation. I can imagine tons of people overlook them just for the boring labels.

I also second pretty much all Against the Grain beers. They're all either ugly or gross.

I think Heavy Seas could do with a re-working of some sort. Pirates are their "thing" but I think there's a lot cooler stuff they can do with them. Imagine awesome artwork like Amon Amarth cover art, but with pirates instead of vikings. Picture this tweaked for pirates and slapped on a beer, hot damn:

 

Thank you. We're excited. Here's a blog/video that explains a bit of the thinking behind our decision to rebrand:

https://www.boulevard.com/new-look-same-great-beer/

 

I think their recipes might need a little revamping, too.

 

Weyerbacher
Stumblefoot
Brew Rebellion
... I got more coming.. hold on

 

I know Troegs just redid theirs, but it was a deep step down in my opinion..I hate that sketchbook look..

I know Clown Shoes makes great brews, and people love their artwork, but it's a bit gimmicky.

I even think my own beloved Brew Kettle could use one.