Labels that make you pass up a beer

[Tonedef131]

This is the superficial beer thread. This is for those labels that you just think are so stupid that you won't pick that beer up on the shelf and just pass it on by. Not necessarily ones you just don't really think about because they aren't creative, but ones that suck so bad it makes you not want to support that brewery. This thread is not for talking about how delicious a beer inside the bottle is, but how poor of a job they did labeling it.

For me, anything involving Aviation or Dogs on the label is never getting bought by my. Some breweries will theme their entire line of beers off of these and I think it's a big mistake. Sure planes are kinda cool and I like dogs a bunch, but what the hell do they have to do with beer? I don't wanna think about your dog drooling and all his hair floating around the brewery when I am drinking your beer...gross. There has also been two breweries in my state that have gone under after using an aviation theme as their entire marketing approach. Coincidence? Not likely.

Pretty much anything sporting skulls or that has like a skull and crossbones on the label. This is the most redneck approach you can take to anything. Just stop.

 

[Revvy]

You ever see "Repo Man?"

 

[Tonedef131]

I can't read the small print...or am I even supposed to be able to?

That is actually kinda awesome, there is something so unpretentious about it that I don't know if I could pass that one up.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

I don't even look at the label art really. The art says nothing to me about the beer inside. It could sport a dog flying and airplane through eyes of a skull and crossbones and it'd mean nothing to me.

So, if my bottle sport pictures of my kids, does that mean all you'd think about is crappy diapers? That is just wierd man.

what iirtates me more than crappy artwork is the lack of information many berwies include on the label. ABV, SG, IBU's, those should be mandatory.

 

[SFBEER]

I always think that if a brewery can't put some thought into the name and label of their beer then how much pride did they take in the production of said beer. I mean I just warned everyone about Malted Corpse. It had a cheaply applied paper label that was sort of peeling off and they didn't say what kind of beer it was it just ready "beer". If I can take 20 mins to come up with a name and a label then why can't some one who is actually selling theirs?

 

[motobrewer]

I haven't (and am trying my hardest to keep away) tried anything from Horny Goat Brewing, simply because of the name. Trying way too hard.

Founders' labels have also make me not reach for them. Maybe I should give them a chance, tho. (I think it's founders...)

 

[Rhoobarb]

Would you take a pass?

 

[Tonedef131]

So, if my bottle sport pictures of my kids, does that mean all you'd think about is crappy diapers?

Probably not unless it actually showed the kid sitting there in a diaper. But if you put a picture of your kids on the bottle I certainly wouldn't buy it, I don't know or care about your kids why don't you put something on there that has to do with the beer?

Imagery is important. It doesn't necessarily have to be ingredients on the label. For example, I love the two hearted ale bottle because it is classy looking. It sports a fish on the label but doesn't make you think about fish being in the bottle, it makes you think of fishing the two heated river and relaxing in the wilderness with a great ale.

But this is totally subjective, that is why I made this thread. I am interested in seeing what some people love and pulls them in and what other people hate.

 

[Chester]

I avoid the ones printed on the sticker labels. those suck to scrub off...

the only beer labels I can think of that I really dislike are the new sporty pyramid labels, they remind me of a ymca advert or something

 

[TexLaw]

Without talking about how great the beer typically is inside a Flying Dog bottle, I also love the Ralph Steadman art on the outside.

Other than to identify what is in the bottle, I pay very, very little attention to the labels on the outside. Typically, the only ones I do may much attention to are the ones I like. I don't know if I label could turn me off a beer any more than one could turn me onto one.


TL

 

[beerocd]

Guess I'd pass on unicorns and rainbows but there's SO many beers out there I usually try to hit something that I heard someone raving about and never really think about the label.

-OCD

 

[Tonedef131]

Another one that irritates me is those Rogue labels, they always just have somebody on there with a beer in one hand and their other hand making a first in the air. They literally could not be less creative. A chili beer so they put a dude in a sombrero, Shakespeare stout so they have a fella who looks like Shakespeare...really? That's it? It doesn't help that they are printed on so they aren't easy to reuse and the beer is mediocre at best. No Rogue for me thank you.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

I don't know or care about your kids why don't you put something on there that has to do with the beer?

This is where I think the issues is, speaking purely subjectively, why should my label have anything to do with you or your life?

As for me, my kids have everything to do with my beer. They are eiether my inpiration to brew (in that I want to have the alone time), or they are with me brewing.

The lable should mean something to the person that is invested in the product. Otherwise, there is no real connection to the person that crafts it.

What you are describing, in my opinion is a prime example of the big advertising associated with Macro beer. "Pop the top and it takes you away to the crisp, cool, Colorado streams with visions of fly fishing"

 

[Tonedef131]

What you are describing, in my opinion is a prime example of the big advertising associated with Macro beer. "Pop the top and it takes you away to the crisp, cool, Colorado streams with visions of fly fishing"

Yeah, that's exactly what it is. We aren't talking about homebrews here that you are giving to your friends and family. We are talking about you walking into a liquor store and blindly buying something off the shelf. You know nothing about this brewer or his beer, you just want something that is going to taste good. So all you really have to go off of (unless you read or heard about it specifically) is the description and the imagery on the label.

 

[Boerderij_Kabouter]

In my opinion, you can often at least gauge the quality of a beer by its label. Yes there are surprises, but by in large it is easy to avoid bad beers by inspecting the label and other information.

I do not have a class that I avoid, but I am generally not a fan or realism on labels. I think they should be at least slightly stylized or have some edge. That wouldn't stop me buying a beer I otherwise thought was good, I just don't like those labels as much.

 

[Sigafoos]

Guess I'd pass on unicorns and rainbows but there's SO many beers out there I usually try to hit something that I heard someone raving about and never really think about the label.

-OCD

Actually that sounds pretty cool. I'd buy that.

 

[timmystank]

Are you serious...."dont judge a beer by its cover"

 

[scrambledegg81]

Pyramid has always done me in for "labels that try too hard for beers that don't really deliver". Anyone that's had their apricot or hefe can probably relate.

 

[riverfrontbrewer]

The only thing I care about the label is telling me whats in the bottle/can.."IPA, STOUT, etc". I would like to think the brewery has put most of their effort inside the package, not outside.

The BMC's do a good job of flashy marketing/packaging though!

 

[Hammy71]

I always think that if a brewery can't put some thought into the name and label of their beer then how much pride did they take in the production of said beer. I mean I just warned everyone about Malted Corpse. It had a cheaply applied paper label that was sort of peeling off and they didn't say what kind of beer it was it just ready "beer". If I can take 20 mins to come up with a name and a label then why can't some one who is actually selling theirs?

From a purely advertising/promotion stand point this makes sense. But if you put a dress on a pig....it's still an f'n pig. I kinda go the opposite route...If a company (or person) has to have a fancy-dancy label...then most likely that's where most of their effort went. BMC has some unique labels that they spend millions in market research to create...but the beer is sub par in most cases. Some bottles/labels look cool, I'll give you that, but that's not why I personnaly buy the product. I usually don't fall for the glitz and glamour that is advertising....I don't label my beers....I"M NOT A BREWERY!! I don't pretend to be something I'm not...(plus I have no talent in that department so....I'm jealous....lol..)

 

[Shooter]

Without talking about how great the beer typically is inside a Flying Dog bottle, I also love the Ralph Steadman art on the outside.

Oddly, this is the reason I have never tried their beer. I like Ralph Steadman fine, but it just seemed odd on a beer bottle and always steered me away from their beer.

Another one that irritates me is those Rogue labels, they always just have somebody on there with a beer in one hand and their other hand making a first in the air.

I like some of their beers okay. I'm not rabid about any of them, but I love those bottles because they remind me of old eastern bloc, Soviet area propaganda posters!

 

[Tonedef131]

You guys are getting way sidetracked and all ethical. As I said before, this is the superficial beer thread. This is not about whether you label your homebrew or how brewers should be putting more attention on their beers or some internet rage rant about how BMC is the devil. This is a thread to discuss what labels suck and why.

 

[weirdboy]

uess I'd pass on unicorns and rainbows

Wow I would totally buy a beer with unicorns and rainbows on the label, just becaue that's so hilarious.

 

[Tonedef131]

I love those bottles because they remind me of old eastern bloc, Soviet area propaganda posters!

I think it would be fine for one Soviet themed beer, but when it's on nearly every bottle it becomes played out.

Wow I would totally buy a beer with unicorns and rainbows on the label, just becaue that's so hilarious.

Lunch Meet: the beer

 

[flyangler18]

Without talking about how great the beer typically is inside a Flying Dog bottle, I also love the Ralph Steadman art on the outside.

+ 1,349

The fact that they are a big supporter of my homebrew club and donate ingredients for 'Big Brew Days' at the brewery doesn't hurt.

 

[kornkob]

You guys are getting way sidetracked and all ethical. As I said before, this is the superficial beer thread. This is not about whether you label your homebrew or how brewers should be putting more attention on their beers or some internet rage rant about how BMC is the devil. This is a thread to discuss what labels suck and why.

Like it or not, forum discussions take on a life of their own once started. *shrug*



That being said: the only thing that a label can do to drive me away from their beer is if it is too hard for me to decipher what is in the freaking bottle. Flash, not flash-- whatever--- the purpose of a label is to tell me what is inside if they use crappy fonts or they are so 'creative' that it obscures the information, that's what will keep me from buying the beer.

 

[Hammy71]

You guys are getting way sidetracked and all ethical. As I said before, this is the superficial beer thread. This is not about whether you label your homebrew or how brewers should be putting more attention on their beers or some internet rage rant about how BMC is the devil. This is a thread to discuss what labels suck and why.

I can't think of any that I think suck....well...maybe those stupid color changing mountains on Coors Lite....

 

[Nyxator]

I've thought a lot about this topic, actually. I think I unconsciously avoid beers with labels that don't appeal to me. Well, at least until someone recommends the beer, then it doesn't matter.

If I had to pick a brewery with the most annoying labels, it's Ska Brewery all the way. Their labeles look like a cheesy attempt to be hip that it comes off looking stupid.

I also avoid landscape labels. Take for example Boulder Beer. I pretty much ignored their entire line up, until Hazed and Infused and Cold Hop IPA, and those labels work for me. At first, I didn't even realize they were from the same brewery, because their other beers have the annoying, generic 'landscape' picture on them. Lame.

The bottom line is that once I've had the beer, I don't care about the label, but I have to admit that I'm more likely to try a new beer with a cool looking label.

 

[chefchris]

Wyerbacher!! It took 3 pages for someone to say Weyerbacher? I hate their labels. On Heresy the words are off centered. Good beer, though.

I had another one but I forgot already.

 

[motobrewer]

That being said: the only thing that a label can do to drive me away from their beer is if it is too hard for me to decipher what is in the freaking bottle. Flash, not flash-- whatever--- the purpose of a label is to tell me what is inside if they use crappy fonts or they are so 'creative' that it obscures the information, that's what will keep me from buying the beer.

This is exactly why I've never picked up a Founder's 6-pack. By the time I searched the label long enough to figure out what it is, I'm too annoyed to pick it up. Also, the artists' style just isn't my taste.

Is that a bad reason to never try their beer? Yeah, probably - but it's hard to grab something when you don't even want to look at it. Book/cover aside, first impressions account for a lot.