Labels and Names

Sure, a catchy name or flashy logo will get my attention, but I'm sure as hell looking it up on here before purchasing

 

Pretty much it right there. My biggest pet peeve is sophomoric humour on labels (Brown Note right up there). I find myself comparing beer to wine quite often, and I always come back to the professionalism across the board (or lack thereof sometimes). Want beer to be taken seriously as a connoisseur's beverage? Than quit portraying it with frat boy humour. I especially get frustrated with all the pot references (ya, we get it, you think dope is funny Sweetwater) because it diminishes the credibility of the product itself AND pot. I don't use it (the drug) but have always advocated for its legalization. Tongue in cheek product naming just makes the legalization argument more difficult IMO because it gives the sense of immaturity (teeheehee.....they said 420, heeheehee...).

On the other hand, be clear about the style and maybe give an impression of the intended tasting notes and I'm all there. Countless beers I have purchased simply because the description on the label made my mouth water.

 

I've noticed lately that Flying Dog's stouts have gotten alot more "dessert" descriptive on their new released titles. Mexican Hot Chocolate Stout, Oatmeal Raisin Stout, Roasted Peanut Brown Ale, Mint Chocolate Stout are just a few that come to mind in the last few months that sound more like Girl Scout Cookies than beer. Like pumpkin beers, I think they believe if you can can paint a good tasting picture in the head of the consumer, it will at least persuade them to try it vs opting for another brewers product.

 

If a beer has one of those really smooth, soft labels, I usually buy it.

Dunno why, I just really like the feel of those labels.

 

Has anyone ever picked up a Hopping Frog brew and said "This looks like it will be good."?

 

It doesn't.

 

A pretty girl will almost always get my attention. Once I talk to her though, things can change rapidly. :-)