New Harp packaging

And they decided to roll this out right before St. Party's day! Being a bartender at a busy bar, I found it pretty odd that they went in this direction, with such bad timing. Making their beer look more like bud light right before all the bud light drinkers pretend they're irish and drink harp, only to find that it doesn't look Irish anymore. So back to bud light for the rest of the holiday.

 

Interesting design choices for sure. Not exactly the way I would've chosen to go with the look of the packaging.

I've personally only seen Harp in 500 mL Cans here and oddly enough, I'm pretty sure it says "brewed in Ireland" on the front of the can under the Harp Logo, despite it apparently being brewed in this country for the American market.

I know I'm going off topic but I find it extremely odd how a number of beers are contract brewed in Canada and most of them aren't available here.

For example, one of my favourite stouts, Guiness Extra Stout is brewed in Saint John, New Brunswick for the American market and it's not available (to my knowledge) anywhere in this country and definitely not in New Brunswick. The brewery is literally less than two hours away from where I am and I've only been able to purchase it in Maine.

 

I saw it too. I walked by it and saw the Harp name and then the colors got me to stop and do a double take. Just shook my head and kept walking down the beer aisle.

 

Looks like a dying brand.

I've had Harp many times over the years....but really only around St Patty's.

The new packaging is generic and terrible. Where is the Harp? No hint of Ireland?

 

It looks like the caps has changed. That is always good.

 

If you look close, the harp is in the background. Still, it's like they're hiding it or something...

 

no no that is just our inter-provicial laws at play, LCBO has Extra Stout, im sure NSLC and ANBA if they wanted,could get their hands on it.

More surprised that after Moosehead lost the "Guinness" contract that yet unclear who had the "Harp" license.

 

Harp without the harp on the label (or at least, not anywhere where it's clearly visible at that size)... that's just weird.

Like a few other people have already said, it really is pretty generic-looking. Also, the HARP (and PREMIUM) text reminds of the big PLATINUM on Bud Light Platinum labels more than anything now (I know it's not exactly the same or even really close thanks to the little lines going through the H and A there, but that's what that "one big word in all-caps" thing combined with the blue-and-silver color scheme reminds me of.)

 

Ok, like the old school look better, but I would seriously maim someone for that glass

 

Looking at the other link posted--that tap handle and glass are actually pretty neat. Still don't really like the actual bottle/label design much, though.

 

The new packaging reminds me of Sapporo or some other Japanese beer for some reason. The old packaging looks a lot better. If it's not broken, don't fix it.

 

Looks like Diageo is importing Harp from both Canada (Moosehead) and Ireland. The Irish label below was approved a two weeks ago. (The Canadian version dates from 8/13 according to TTB COLA date, so not really "new").

Looks like there are also both Canadian- and Irish-brewed keg labels, so in that case you don't know what you're getting.

And, of course, Guinness/Diageo has sometimes been having Harp (as well as GES and other Diageo brands like Red Stripe) brewed in Canada for the US market many years, as these previous two label designs note.



And, in recent years, Diageo has been brewing some beers like that Guinness Blonde Lager and Red Stripe in the City brewery in Latrobe, PA (ex-Rolling Rock).

Welcome to the global brewing industry.

 

Authentic Pilsner? Are we sure this is the new Harp, or a whole new beer?

I actually tried this a year ago -- was in a combo pack with a few other beers. I thought it was a pretty decent take on the style and actually liked it better than the Harp that's been the usual offering.

 

I can't fathom why they would change to this label. Makes no sense. Like many have already said, its just weird not seeing a harp on the label.

 

A modernistic harp is on the bottle top. A website for the marketing design company in Europe that created the new look explained its purpose. Global brewing is all about marketing and mainstreaming taste to attain a "most acceptable" style. Whether it's brewed in Ireland or Canada makes no difference; the same as Kona Brewing partnering with an Oregon craft brewer to make and ship its brews -- saves a ton of money in shipping and there's no discernible difference in taste. Boston Brewing has done it for decades.

 

Agreed OP, Blehhhhhh...how very slick, looks like something the Nature Boy would term "stylin' & profilin' "

 

That's what I thought, too. Looks a lot like a Japanese beer label.

 

If this label was on fire, I wouldn't pour Bud Ice on it.