A call for more subtle beer tshirts

So you’re wanting like a picture of a hop and just the first word of the breweries name? I’m not sure. I’m trying to picture a scenario in which this would work for a breweries marketing, which is of course what merchandise is all about. If I had a more concrete example of what I would be looking at, I could more accurately judge whether it was something I would buy or not or at least if it was something I think would work. I would agree that most of the craft beer brewery merch I own says “brewery” on it, but that’s because most of the businesses end with the word; brewery. For me personally, I haven’t found this to be a big deal. Good possibility I’m missing the point. Cheers.

 

I tend to appreciate subtle and understated positions but I don't think that will drive sales. Nevertheless there is a place for such things and if you look around you may find some you like (or just make your own ).

 

SingleCut has a very basic logo shirt.

I agree, low key is better. I won’t buy one but if given to me I will wear it. Guess that’s why I have no beer company shirts.

Enjoy

 

Cellarmaker make one of the best low key t shirts as does Kauai Island Brewery.

 

So f'rinstance: Hill Farmstead has a nice understated logo (sort of a goblet in an hourglass). If you put that on a tee with no text whatsoever, it would be recognizable to a true beer geek but wouldn't scream "craft beer" to the uninitiated. I understand the marketing aspect, but I hate being a walking billboard.

 

The only brewery shirt I ever wear is from Greenbush. Its got their simple GB logo with a leafless bush silhouette coming out of it. On the back, up bear the neck, it says "good beer wins"

I like the logo and the message and that its pretty understated and doesn't stand out as an alcohol specific shirt

 

As someone who only owns one brewery hat, and no other brewery apparel, I click with OP's statement. I've been yearning for some more simple brewery apparel, but alas, it doesn't seem many care to put forth the effort (or cost) in designing a memorable, yet distinctive, logo. If my favorite local brewery dropped a t-shirt with just their three-triangle logo, I'd probably buy it up immediately (price and quality/fit of the t-shirt are big factors in making a purchase). A nice little call back to their tap handle design as seen around town.

As for other examples, Side Project has some great examples. Their t-shirts currently say "Side Project" with their lightbulb logo in the space between words. Would love if they dropped a t-shirt with just the light bulb. Fortunately, they have collared shirts, one of which just has the light bulb logo, and the other just has a pocket tag saying "Side Project." Even though I rarely have their beer, I've been considering picking up both collared shirts due to their more subtle branding.

Fun fact: nearly ordered my second brewery apparel from a brewery I have only visited once, but I was too late. A brewery in the PNW dropped a quality wool hat with their subtle logo (outline of a mountain). No words. No mention of drinking. Just their logo. Loved the simplicity, although apparently so did another 50 people before me.

 

I'm not disagreeing with the premise - but I have the caveat that the design of the t-shirt (and all merch, for that matter,) does need to fit with the vibe and personality of the brewery.
For instance, I couldn't see 3 Floyds putting out a shirt with a subtle "FFF" on the upper left chest, like I couldn't see Hill Farmstead with a Pushead-designed artwork.

 

...and a limited release (50 is a little stingy, IMHO) would enhance the cognoscenti aspect of the attire. Same marketing strategy as limited beer releases, most of which sell out in minutes. It's the FOMO effect.
Plus the brewery comes off as being too cool to actually put its NAME out there (how tacky!)

 

I come from an extended family of wine snobs. If "subtle/understated" is the hallmark of wineries I want exactly the opposite from my beer apparel.

 

I don’t normally buy beer shirts, but when I do, I prefer Vitamin Sea.

Seriously though, their merch game is on point. I don’t really buy much merch from breweries anymore….the older I become the less enamored I am with the juvenile-looking designs most places push out. Vitamin Sea can be like that too at times but I do enjoy their nods to the local area. The “South Shore” shirt in particular is my favorite one. I was born in Weymouth and grew up in Duxbury so it just feels like a must have. Regardless, it’s Just Another T-Shirt Shop so who cares

 

My only beer T-shirts are from my travels. I just wore my Beer Chang T-shirt from Thailand last weekend.

 

Was gifted a few beer shirts on my recent trip to France/Belgium. One is not very subtle:

 

I have craft beer tshirts but rarely wear them. My one piece of beer paraphernalia that I have worn regularly is a pre-craft 1976 era "Blitz Weinhard Bottle Popper Belt buckle". It was issued in the early days of the bottle deposit law, and the resurgence of "use opener" crown caps. It is very subtle until you unbuckle the belt to open a brew. A picture is at:
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vtg-1976-blitz-weinhard-beer-belt-132806037
By the way, my son was working from home today in a fairly subtle Rogue teeshirt.

 

I so want to be a dick and just say life must be pretty good if not-so-subtle branding on a beer shirt has you riled up enough to post on a beer forum but I won't.

I definitely get it. There is a fine balance between making a shirt/apparel that stands out on its own that is uniquely tied to the brewer's brand and just plastering a shirt with logos and the name of the brewery. In my personal experience, a lot of the breweries I would consider getting a shirt for, keep the branding low-key, either as its sole aspect or part of a whole, and let the artwork speak for itself.

As with bands, if the shirt stands on its own as a statement or something "cool" then the branding becomes secondary. You'll either get people "in the know" acknowledging the shirt (and the conversation that it might elicit) or people who don't know complimenting your cool shirt and potentially looking into/asking you about it.

 

I like Maine beer company and selinsgrove brewery t-shirts

 

I don't know where I sit on this. I don't really buy the merch other than a retro Hamms t-shirt.

I do know I always look for it, just rarely been enthralled enough to buy. I'm not a hop head, a lot of small brewery merch seems to be centered around a picture of a hop cone in some fashion. Just "meh" for me so I'm not going to buy it.

 

As the owner of dozens of brewery t's - most of which I have purchased at thrift stores, I like simple clean designs as well....
Like this one I am wearing today....
JAFB - stands for "just another f_____ brewery!"



this one is a fav too.....love the "Green Man" design



have one from Maine Beer - with print - like their beer labels - that you can barely see.....bit silly