I need your opinion guys (microbrewery ideas)

[JefeTheVol]

Get your name first. +1 on Wedge Head. Get your identity/angle/theme then when you are ready, hire someone to design the bottle based on the attitude of your brewery.
-Jefe-

 

[DragonTail]

Welcome
I agree with Anodyne Brewing Company, think that would be the best of the ones you have.

 

[skibb]

I like Wedge Head the best but it is quite similar to Wedge Brewing Company in Asheville, NC...but not too close that it would cause any problems. As far as the labels go I like the simplicity of them and the pictures are neat - just the formatting is god awful imo - text placement/size/fonts/colors. +1 for consulting a professional about label designs

 

[Brewmoor]

Good Luck. I think what you are doing is great. I am starting down the same road and it is very exciting. Sounds like our business plans are pretty close.

I agree with what some of the people on have said so far. I have been apart of stuff like this in other industries. What I have found and believe is that the most important part of you business will be marketing. Think carefully about your name and how the labels and logos will look. This could make or break you. Yes it is important to have good tasting beer. But that only means people will buy a second batch. In order for them to buy the first batch, you need to grab there attention. Expecting them to read the life story of why you called it "Anodyne" is not practical. I would think more about that name before using it.

Obviously getting friends and family behind you is important. They can be some of the best marketers around. Give them something to work with. If you don't have the design skills to make logos yourself, look to a local college. You can find a kid that would love to get school credit for design work. It would probably not cost you much.

Anyway. Good luck. We are all pulling for you. Live the dream. Don't let anyone tell you it can't be done.

 

[Baja_Brewer]

Anodyne brewing company...
I could see myself ordering something with a name like that... "I'll have the Anodyne IPA" Its not really hard to pronounce, its simple, I like that.

Hollow Moon- Too much like Blue Moon
City Cat-... I don't like cats...don't like the name anyways...
No comment on Wedge Head, can't really formulate an opinion on that.

I dont really like the labels...

 

[EricBoyers]

A few others have said Anodyne sounds too medicinal. In my opinion beer IS medicinal. Anodyne is a great name. Best of luck to your startup.

 

[Pick]

I like Anodyne. It sounds aeronautical to me. You know, like Anodyne Aircraft Company. Maybe some aviation themed brews. Or maybe even maritime, like Anodyne Racing Boats, so since you are in Tampa, that might work. I did not like the monkey or gorilla themed labels.

I am up near Gainesville, and we have a new brewery called Swamp Head. They are growing well. No bottles yet, just kegs.

Wish you all the best, can't wait to sample your brews!

 

[carnevoodoo]

I think you could do fine with a name like Anodyne. People will connect with a brand if the product is good enough. I don't think it will invoke the same emotion that a brand like Stone, Dogfish Head, or the like will, but it is still nice. You have to remember that most of the beer drinking community is still male, and still kind of meatheadish when it comes down to it.

The labels sort of remind me of Shag and Japan. Both are good things, but there are a couple that don't wow me. I like the flat imagery, I like the monkeys, I don't like the smoking guy, and I don't like the 3-D ish guy with the horns. I also think the font is too... typical for that style of art and it gets lost. I think it needs to stand out more. I am a big fan of good typeface and kind of get annoyed by layout/packaging with elements of design that are lacking (Russian River and comic sans... ****ING kills me.)

 

[csutton2012]

Can't tell you how much I appreciate all the feedback.
I have been in love with Anodyne from the beginning and am going to try my best to make t work. I am going to quickly explain to people the definition of it and hope they relate my beer to something that can take away their stress or pain. Wedge Hedge has a ring to it, but I just can't seem to get full forced love going for it. I am trying to hire someone that can work with me on fonts and improve me labels. In the meantime I'll be dreaming, sweating, and scheming 24/7 until this happens. I'll keep you all posted. Thanks for all the feedback.!

 

[GunnerMan]

Good luck and keep us posted, I am still with Anodyne as well. I mean there are a ton of other names out there that sound just as weird or obscure. The name and will help but it's the beer inside that counts. I honestly think I could see myself saying "Hey lets go to Anodyne."

 

[homebrewer_99]

...I have been in love with Anodyne from the beginning and am going to try my best to make t work. I am going to quickly explain to people the definition of it and hope they relate my beer to something that can take away their stress or pain...

I can see what you mean.

I've seen this trend in advertising lately so why not use it yourself? Just place this somewhere on the label:

an·o·dyne (phonetic spelling here) adj. 1. Capable of soothing or eliminating pain. 2. Relaxing. n. 1. A medicine that relieves pain. 2. A source of soothing comfort.

Unfortunately, when used as an adjective it also means bland, dull, boring, insipid, unexciting, uninspiring, uninteresting...

 

[Baja_Brewer]

Unfortunately, when used as an adjective it also means bland, dull, boring, insipid, unexciting, uninspiring, uninteresting...

So as long as he doesnt call his beers "Anodyne Ale" or "Anodyne Stout" he should be fine?"

 

[android]

i like anodyne too. i bet you no one agreed with sam calagione that 'dogfish head' was a good name for a brewery, but look where they are now. labels are OK, but could probably work better with the brewery name, they just seem disconnected to me.

 

[bovineblitz]

Anodyne sounds like a cream or ointment used to treat wounds.

 

[mummasan]

Dude, I don't agree with those who don't like the name Anodyne. I'm a big fan of Uncle Tupelo (saw them once in Chapel Hill), Sun Volt and now Wilco. When I read the name Anodyne the song is the first thing I thought of. I didn't look at your labels.

Stick with what you want. After all it is your dream.

 

[passedpawn]

an·o·dyne (phonetic spelling here) adj. 1. Capable of soothing or eliminating pain. 2. Relaxing. n. 1. A medicine that relieves pain. 2. A source of soothing comfort.

Interesting idea, but I'm pretty sure the state licencing board or the FDA will slap this down. They look like Indications for Use, for which you need FDA clearance.

 

[lackey2000]

I'm pretty sure the state licencing board or the FDA will slap this down.

Could still play on a similar idea.

an·o·dyne adj. 1. Pure liquid enjoyment. 2. Brews for your brain.

fwiw: I like Anodyne. Anodyne to me is a little fresher and more unique.

And, why not play off the medicinal connotations by making all your beers mental health related:

Frontal Lobe Lobotomy IPA, Amnesia Imperial Sout, Mnemonic Porter, Mind Eraser, Blunt Force Trauma, Brain Damage, Psyc Ward, Coo Coo Bin...

Love the stock illustrations for the labels but you'll want to hire an illustrator (not just a graphic designer) to give you something unique. Maybe a juxtaposition between the style your leaning toward and old time snake oil bottles?

Not your style but Coney Island had a nice solid line that all plays within a similar theme... http://www.coneyislandlager.com/CONEY/index.html

 

[emissary]

... Blunt Force Trauma... http://www.coneyislandlager.com/CONEY/index.html

Dude, you just named my next high gravity batch. That's incredible!:rockin:

Csutton, I think most guys that gravitate toward the craft brew section in the beer aisle are very receptive to and intrigued by something different. For example, I am one that will buy a six pack of something just because I've never heard of it, and I would venture to say that most on this forum operate similarly.

While wedgehead has the current trendy "edginess" to it, I think that it gets lost in the mix for that very reason (unless the beer itself is really that unique and incredulicious:cross. I didn't like anodyne at first, but think you might take a variation on the "dictionary" bit and try to make it your own. Just pick your theme, and stick to your guns.

One of my favorite marketing lines is Stone. "You are not worthy of our beer." It's hilarious, and it works. I actually am not that big a fan of their beer (not a hophead, and really am not worthy of it), but you have to give it up for their spin. They have a niche, and they work it.

Disclaimer: I have very little business knowledge. Just hoping the best for you, and look forward to seeing your beer on tap. Good luck.

 

[Burgs]

Would be nice if I could see the labels... says the Flickr page is private???

 

[SpanishCastleAle]

IMO, Stone and Dogfish Head are way stupid names and they seem to do OK. But then Ommegang somehow sounds cool...to me. Look at some band names over the years; The Who...really? Red Hot Chili Peppers...seriously?

A beer by any other name, would taste just as sweet.
Benjaromeo Franklin

 

[GoatLocker]

For the record.. I think there is still plenty of room in Tampa (especially New Tampa area) for more breweries/brewpubs etc. Currently your major players in the area are CCB and St. Somewhere (Tarpon Springs) and I believe Dunedin Brewing Co. is off and running strong too.. but you could definitely find your niche.. good luck!

 

[Sedge]

Hell who else out there is making a borderline imperial Porter? It's going to be challenging but can't wait to brew it.

Flying Dog Gonzo Imperial Porter, and its fantastic.

Also to the post above...ever hear of Cigar City?

 

[android]

Also to the post above...ever hear of Cigar City?

i'm pretty sure CCB is cigar city brewing

 

[Sedge]

Oops I think its time for some coffee. Thanks for the correction.

 

[samc]

If you have to think about the name and explain it, then it only detracts from your beer and business. KISS rules.

Service and product are what counts for a long term success, marketing and image will take you so far until the next guy comes along with an even cuter name and gimmick.

Been there and done all this. My high quality service oriented business was a resounding success. My other cuter venture fell on deaf ears, coincidentally not far from where you may or may not be opening. Ultimately it's not what you think is great, it's what they think is great.

business 101 rant has ended!

 

[Burgs]

Dude, any idea why I can't see your Flickr page? Do you care?