The Branding of Beer
Those who know me know that I love branding, B Corps, and beer – not necessarily in that order.
(I also love bikes, Boise… Hmmm…Maybe I’ve got a B thing…baby!)
I periodically interrupt the regularly scheduled social impact content programming with insights on branding, and that’s what you’re going to get today. Specifically, I’ll be writing about the power of simplicity in beer label design, focusing on one in particular: Monarch IPA by Aslan Brewing of Bellingham, Washington.
What I love about Aslan’s packaging design is the pure power of its simplicity. It features a big, bold, black graphic of the craft brewer’s lion logomark on a background of orange for maximum contrast. There aren’t any unnecessary adornments on the label, either, with sparse and small key messages placed around the can like Easter eggs to be discovered, like the little circle B for B Corp. I’m usually not a fan of tiny type, but in this case it really works. And the branding wordplay of “Peace Recycle / ☮️♻️” is brilliant.
The 16-oz can offers lots of real estate, which in lesser hands can clutter up a beer label, Aslan seems to understand that good design is the absence of anything that’s unnecessary, and this can really scores.
Oh, and what do I think about the beer inside? I think it tastes like another!
Now, I’m not saying that more elaborate or flamboyant designs can’t make for great beer labels; I’m just a believer that the hard work of simplification yields something compelling that stands out in the crowded beer case at retail.
While we’re at it, here are shout-outs to couple other examples of simplicity in beer label design: pFreim Family Brewers of Hood River, Oregon, and Georgetown Brewing Co. of Seattle, Washington. Both support the stellar design on the outside with delicious, drinkable contents inside. pFreim’s website is pretty cool, too.
Do you have examples of beer label design that you love? Send ‘em my way and we’ll include them in a future issue.
Godspeed, friends.
Russ
💬 Quote of the Week
"When I left Nashville I went to Texas because that's where I came from, and because I was playing in Texas a lot in different places. And I saw hippies and rednecks drinking beer together and smoking dope together and having a good time together and I knew it was possible to get all groups of people together - long hair, short hair, no hair - and music would bring them together." Willie Nelson
💥 Quick Hits
• What's your favorite sustainable brew? – Green Matters has done the hard work 🤔 of creating a short list of 14 of the most sustainable beers. You can vote for your favorite here. Voting ends July 23.
• Quaff something eco-friendly – Looking to quench your thirst with eco-friendly beers? The Eco-friendly Beer Drinker has you covered.
• Drink beer, save water – Arizona breweries go "soil-to-soil" to conserve water in collab with farmers.
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