I need your opinion guys (microbrewery ideas)

[csutton2012]

I just turned 40, and I've been dreaming of opening a microbrewing for 20. I have been all grain brewing for about 18 of those years. My best friend just died and I realized how short life really is. I don't want to waste another minute not going for my lifelong dream. The brewery is going to be a small boutique brewing that only supllies kegs and sells growlers to go at the brewery until we can afford a bottling line. Hey Three Floyds did it and look at them now. Of course when I start to make enough money and get enought local interest to attract investors, the dream location, dream equipment, and bottling line is ON!.

Here's my dilemna.
I need opinions on the names and the branding I've decided to go with.
The few people I've show are basically mainstream bud and coors light drinkers who just don't get it, and I'm starting to have my doubts. My wife loves them but that doesn't count.
So the three names of the brewery are:

1. Anodyne Brewing Company (Definition: Anything that relieves or assuages stress or pain, soothing)
2. Wedge Head Brewing Company
3. City Cat Brewing Company
4. Hollow Moon Brewing Company

I'm leaning strongly on Andoyne and EVERYONE else hates it. Please give you your honest opinion.
Also, I have attached some logos and labels of the 5 five beers I plan to brew.
Honest opinion encouraged and heavily valued. Thanks,
SO here they are:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/csutton/sets/72157623764213228/
Thanks All

 

[passedpawn]

Don't like Anodyne. BTW, there is a company in Oldsmar called Anodyne Therapy. The other 3 are pretty cool.

Hate the labels.

 

[csutton2012]

OK. Good to know. Thanks.
Although there is an Anodyne brewing in New Mexico that is quite populare, they only brew tea however

 

[wildwest450]

You won't get much attention in this forum.

 

[csutton2012]

Thanks, where should I post it then??

 

[arturo7]

If you call it Wedge Head, I'll be your first customer.

 

[csutton2012]

If you call it Wedge Head, I'll be your first customer.

LOL, That's what everyone is saying. I guess it's time to accept the fact that Anodyne just sucks. Thanks man!

 

[csutton2012]

You won't get much attention in this forum.

What if I get an avatar like yours? Then will I?

 

[GunnerMan]

I hear brewing is a hard business to get into but I am all about going for your dreams. The only real input I can give you is about the name. I like Anodyne Brewing a lot, has a great meaning and and ring to it. It also is one of thoe words that has a mysterious sound and look that says "Yes we are unique." The monkey themed labels are pretty good too, simple and creative but stick in the head.

 

[Shooter]

I also like Wedge Head. I see what you're trying to do with Anodyne and the labels, but I think it's going to be a little too much for most people.

 

[csutton2012]

Thanks! I love Anodyne too, but I just can't get anyone else to agree. However, thank you because you seem to have good taste and I needed to hear that. You like it for the same reasons I do.

 

[Dwain]

I'll preface my reply with the statement that my family has been in a number of businesses in the past. All have been successful until the "family" got tired of running them. They would close/sell the business, but in a year or two, they would have a new one starting. There's a thread on this forum by a guy that did his own start up. I haven't read it in a while, but as I recall, it had some good info.
Any name is good as long as you push it full force. Also, I think WW is correct about not getting attention here. Get your thoughts, name, logo, and BUSINESS PLAN together and pitch it to your investment banker. I would suggest practicing your delivery on friends and family. If they are not behind you 100%, you want to know up front. It wouldn't hurt to study the start up plans of similar businesses. Finally, if this is your dream and you are going to pursue it, don't listen to the naysayers. If you attack it with everything you've got, you'll make it. Luck - Dwain

 

[EricBoyers]

I'm new to home brewing, but I've been a craft beer drinker (connoisseur) for many many years. I like Anodyne Brewing Company the best. The others sound very cliche like so many others these days. Love all the images. 800 Pound Porter made the slit in my face curve up.

 

[csutton2012]

Thanks, I've got the business plan, financing, (not a lot) and mostly from my life saving and retirement money, but enought I think, applied for federal brewing permit, got location, and ordered equipment (small 2bl brewery). Yeah, I know, it's little, but like I said, I want to specialize in small,intense, extreme, unique, but most of all top of the line beers that change peoples life and by that I mean, once you drink them you become beer obsessed, it happened to me when I first tasted a Krystal Weizen in Grerman and then again when I tasted an authentic ESP at Broad Ripple Brewing COmpany, so if I can do that for just one person, I'll feel successful. Thanks for all the honest feedback everyone. I also should add that at this point in my life I've decided that I'd rather have tried and failed than not to have tried at all.

 

[csutton2012]

Don't like Anodyne. BTW, there is a company in Oldsmar called Anodyne Therapy. The other 3 are pretty cool.

Hate the labels.

Do you mind if I ask you what your favorite beer label is? Micro or imported?

 

[csutton2012]

Eric, Thank you! Music to my ears!
I agree, the others are too much like others.
800 Pound Porter is my favorite too.
Hell who else out there is making a borderline imperial Porter? It's going to be challenging but can't wait to brew it.

 

[csutton2012]

I'll preface my reply with the statement that my family has been in a number of businesses in the past. All have been successful until the "family" got tired of running them. They would close/sell the business, but in a year or two, they would have a new one starting. There's a thread on this forum by a guy that did his own start up. I haven't read it in a while, but as I recall, it had some good info.
Any name is good as long as you push it full force. Also, I think WW is correct about not getting attention here. Get your thoughts, name, logo, and BUSINESS PLAN together and pitch it to your investment banker. I would suggest practicing your delivery on friends and family. If they are not behind you 100%, you want to know up front. It wouldn't hurt to study the start up plans of similar businesses. Finally, if this is your dream and you are going to pursue it, don't listen to the naysayers. If you attack it with everything you've got, you'll make it. Luck - Dwain

Well said! Thank you

 

[LazyPBar]

so where is your brewery going to be? and yah i agree wedge head brewery is pretty catchy.

 

[csutton2012]

This will probably sound lame, but I'm not ready to announce the town yet. I want to wait until it's a sure thing. I have my reasons. Sorry, I would like to tell you, but hopefully soon enough.

 

[Yuri_Rage]

Thanks, where should I post it then??

Thread moved/merged.

 

[McGarnigle]

This will probably sound lame, but I'm not ready to announce the town yet. I want to wait until it's a sure thing. I have my reasons. Sorry, I would like to tell you, but hopefully soon enough.

Let me guess....Tampa?

FWIW, I kind of like Anodyne. That's one of my favorite albums (Uncle Tupelo).

 

[csutton2012]

Let me guess....Tampa?

FWIW, I kind of like Anodyne. That's one of my favorite albums (Uncle Tupelo).

Ah.....Someone finally mentioned one of my favorite albums too. And yes, that's the first time I heard the word. 20 years ago or so. Another reason for the name.
Tampa? LOL. Maybe....
Cigar City would be awful hard to compete with unless I brewed some pretty unique beers, perhaps even some Sakes which I've always wanted to do.
Unfortunately I don't have 600,000 dollars of capital to start with like Joey did.

 

[csutton2012]

Let me guess....Tampa?

FWIW, I kind of like Anodyne. That's one of my favorite albums (Uncle Tupelo).

If it were Tampa, (not that it is)do you think the town would be big enough for the two of us?
I think it would be great. It would help make Tampa a sort of beer destination for serious beer fans. I don't plan on making "introductory ales" like Blondes or Reds...Also I haven't even begun to show all my cards yet. There are still several Tricks up my sleeve that could make Cigar City and Anodyne two of the best in the country and all within a few miles from each other. Not a bad idea McGarnigle.
Also, while on the topic of CCB, their Humidor series Ales was a stroke of Genius. Wayne Wambles is one of the best brewers in the country.

 

[McGarnigle]

If it weren't Tampa, you'd have to change those labels

 

[csutton2012]

If it weren't Tampa, you'd have to change those labels

Yep, I know exactly what you mean. Look for me to start blogging on the opening of this brewering in mid fall.
Cheers and thanks for the feed back.

 

[bleak]

If my opinion means anything...

"Wedge Head" sells beer. The labels don't.

"Anodyne" sounds to me like the name of a bad-tasting medicine, not a good-tasting beer.

You might consider setting aside some funds to employ a professional graphic design artist to design your labels. Getting professional help for your individual beer designations wouldn't be a bad idea either. Remember, your expertise lies in brewing beer - delegating matters that aren't in your sphere of proficiency can make or break your business.

Good luck! I hope it works out for you.

 

[MBasile]

Although Anodyne makes sense when you explain it, it reminded me of medicine/something medicinal the first time I read it. I think you'll lose customers before you have a chance to explain it.

 

[blizzard]

I agree that Anodyne sounds medicinal, but I do like the labels.

Also, just my opinion, but I think that labels do help sell beer. That's why big companies spend millions on figuring out the most appealing package for a product. Not everyone is going to know the "wedge head" brand, at least to start. You want something that pops off the shelves.

Congrats on following your dreams. Best of luck.

 

[homebrewer_99]

Anodyne doesn't sound medicinal to me. It's more cerebrial...you're making drunks think...and since they don't know what the word means it'll make them feel stupid, ergo, your brew is stupid. In short, that's not a good thing.

Whether it's "Wedge Head" or "Widgit" it's got to be simple...and rhymes always work.

I have to agree that the labels, well, in a word, suck. Nothing catchy. What are those baboons? As for the "wedge", will your brews have fruit wedges in them or what's the "theme" you're trying to project?

All my comments are provided with love and concern...it's good to go after your dream, but I think you need a better plan before you start your journey.

 

[woodenbuick]

Anodyne Therapy is infrared light therapy device used to increase circulation and reduce pain, stiffness and muscle spasm. It also is good for healing wounds. My wife, the nurse immediatly thought of this as she was reading over my shoulder.