Labels that make you pass up a beer

[Tenspeed]

See, I just don't understand that. You've heard it's a good beer, you WANT to try it, so just buy the ****ing thing.

Trust me, I know it makes no sense at all. I just really, really dislike the label. If I had to give a reason I'd say it looks like it's trying too hard to be "cool". It stands out on the shelf. While that does make sure it gets noticed, it doesn't stand out in a way that appeals to me.

I'm not trying to claim it's rational at all. Thing is there are so many beers that I either know I like or still want to try that an off-putting label is the difference between the beer getting chosen or left on the shelf. No logic, no reason, just doesn't appeal to my sense of aesthetics.

Maybe next time my wife goes shopping I'll have her grab me a bottle so I don't have to look at the thing.

 

[Gduck]

I usually also can't get past Ithaca's art; I pondered the Casca-Zilla sixer for a few minutes last night and decided against it.

Cascazilla is a pretty damn good beer.

Yeah, Ithaca's label art isn't going to win any kind of award, but they have a couple really good beers.

 

[Mongrel]

Trust me, I know it makes no sense at all. I just really, really dislike the label. If I had to give a reason I'd say it looks like it's trying too hard to be "cool". It stands out on the shelf. While that does make sure it gets noticed, it doesn't stand out in a way that appeals to me.

I'm not trying to claim it's rational at all. Thing is there are so many beers that I either know I like or still want to try that an off-putting label is the difference between the beer getting chosen or left on the shelf. No logic, no reason, just doesn't appeal to my sense of aesthetics.

Maybe next time my wife goes shopping I'll have her grab me a bottle so I don't have to look at the thing.

Just buy it already. You won't regret it.

 

[strambo]

Just buy it already. You won't regret it.

Heh, yeah it is good. Ninkasi is a solid brewery. Stone's labels turn me off also, reminds me of someone trying to be macho by drawing bad-ass gargoyles (now if it was a "Liger" totally different story). I still buy them on occasion though. The only labels that make me hesitate or move on are ones that seem cheap to me (if I don't know anything else about the brewery).

 

[Zuljin]

I may never have bought this beer, had I not had "the snip-snip" surgery...

The sperm swimming around on it does not earn it any points, that's for sure.

Given my ever broadening, always changing and wide range of tastes, I do get to be silly and play like a cool label matters. There's such a high chance that I will find the beer at least drinkable, that I get to use whatever whacked out criteria I want.

 

[Tenspeed]

Bought the Oatis today by Ninkasi.

Excellent oatmeal stout, and I'll likely buy more of their beers.

Label still sucks, though.

 

[dwarven_stout]

Anyone say Caldera Vas Deferens yet?

 

[Mongrel]

Anyone say Caldera Vas Deferens yet?

several times

best label ever

 

[Mongrel]

Bought the Oatis today by Ninkasi.

Excellent oatmeal stout, and I'll likely buy more of their beers.

Label still sucks, though.

Yeah, the green doesn't really go with the brown, but it's a great beer. Glad you liked it.

 

[BrewerBear]

I have not bought a Left Hand Brewery Milk Stout since they changed the label a couple years ago.

 

[duckmanco]

Anywhere on any label for an IPA that says "balanced by a solid malt backbone".

 

[progmac]

I couldn't agree more with most of the comments in this thread. What comes off as trying to hard is really just poor marketing. These breweries specialize in making good beer, not designing labels. So they make labels with whatever they think is cool, and they almost always come out terrible, certainly no better than labels designed by homebrewers. The serious lack of ability with label design was made crystal clear to me in the BYO Label competition, and though they were from homebrewers they were very similar to what the micros are doing.

Seriously, WTF is up with all the dogs. And founders naming things bastard this and bastard that and they go crazy with devilish symbolism. And smuttynose - sure it's an island, but what a terrible name and what terrible labels they have. Old guys and dogs. The name smuttynose makes me think of a taste, but not the taste of good beer, that's for sure.

Lowly Red Hook has some of the best label design and a great name. Straightforward and crisp.

 

[nutty_gnome]

The Aleheads site has done several reviews of the best, worst, sexiest, and most offensive beer labels. Here's a link to their list of the offenders for bottle art: http://aleheads.com/2011/04/14/labelmania-ii-the-dull-the-bad-and-the-ugly/
And here is their top 100 list of the best american craft beer labels: http://aleheads.com/2011/10/19/the-best-beer-labels/
You can find other lists via their search engine.

While the choices are all subjective and personal, its interesting to note that many of the offending breweries mentioned in this thread are included in Aleheads 'worst-of' thread. Both of those links are worth a gander.

 

[bobbrews]

Anywhere on any label for an IPA that says "balanced by a solid malt backbone".

Couldn't agree more!!

 

[progmac]

The Aleheads site has done several reviews of the best, worst, sexiest, and most offensive beer labels. Here's a link to their list of the offenders for bottle art: http://aleheads.com/2011/04/14/labelmania-ii-the-dull-the-bad-and-the-ugly/
And here is their top 100 list of the best american craft beer labels: http://aleheads.com/2011/10/19/the-best-beer-labels/
You can find other lists via their search engine.

While the choices are all subjective and personal, its interesting to note that many of the offending breweries mentioned in this thread are included in Aleheads 'worst-of' thread. Both of those links are worth a gander.

I enjoyed his "worst of" post - but his "best of" post is WAY off. Of those 100, maybe 20 are good and more than that are terrible. This one is in a "best of" - seriously?

it's nasty. looking at it for more than five seconds triggers my gag reflex

and this was number 2 - a character literally blowing chunks.. disgusting

 

[stat]

Any label that looks too nice or clean I usually won't buy. Widmer brothers and red hook are probably the best examples of this. Also dog fish heads paper labels piss me off to touch, just the feeling of the dry paper is like nails on a chalk board.

 

[the_bird]

The Aleheads site has done several reviews of the best, worst, sexiest, and most offensive beer labels. Here's a link to their list of the offenders for bottle art: http://aleheads.com/2011/04/14/labelmania-ii-the-dull-the-bad-and-the-ugly/
And here is their top 100 list of the best american craft beer labels: http://aleheads.com/2011/10/19/the-best-beer-labels/
You can find other lists via their search engine.

While the choices are all subjective and personal, its interesting to note that many of the offending breweries mentioned in this thread are included in Aleheads 'worst-of' thread. Both of those links are worth a gander.

You know what, though? I just looked all of those over, and I kept going to myself, "Oooh, I want to try that!" Sure, the Weyerbacher labels are ugly, but **** it - I WANT THAT BEER! Wasn't a one of those that made me think "I wouldn't buy that beer."

Which to me, says that the marketing aspects are overrated!

Actually, there was one label I wouldn't buy, I wouldn't buy "Wailing Wench" because I don't want to get the stink-eye from the_Wife when she sees it. Got no problem with Little Sumpin' Sumpin, though (and that's a DAMN good beer!)

And, no idea why Rogue's on the list.

 

[CGVT]

Dogs. Get your damn dog off the label. Don't name your brewery or beer after a dog.

I get it. Your dog is cute. You love your dog. I don't.

 

[dwarven_stout]

several times

best label ever

Yeah, I know. I think I was one of the people who mentioned it previously. I just don't think I'll ever see that beer on a shelf and decide to pay for it.

 

[passedpawn]

Anyone say Caldera Vas Deferens yet?

My gawd... read the text on the right.

 

[scottab]

I always have a 6 pack of these in my fridge....delicious!

They're ok, i like rum and i like beer but for some reason the 2 don't taste great together, just ok. The beer had much more rum flavor than i expected.

 

[DPBISME]

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.

I have no problem with Dogs or Aviation but am with you on skulls and crossbones ....

I would add Demons, Devil, or sexual themes (I am not religous, maybe just a prude??? HA!).

Not that I have not had a few Arrogant Bastard Ales,; it is just I just am put off by over the top names....

 

[paulster2626]

I find labels with diamonds to be played the F out.

^This beer is awesome though.

These are all craft breweries within 30km of each other! They all look the same! Black Oak is definitely the better of the 3 though. By far.

Good local labels/logos? Well...

This should turn in to a search for the best and worst beer label/logo in North America! Ready.... GO!

 

[EnjoyGoodBeer]

I bought a 6er of Oskar Blues Dale's Pale Ale in cans last night. It was the first time I tried that brewery and it was a hell of a beer. I liked the simple logo. I reached for it after passing on the obnoxious art on the flying dog box (it was In Heat Wheat [not a savory name for a beer!]).

I also haven't bought Weyerbacher because of their box art.

I usually also can't get past Ithaca's art; I pondered the Casca-Zilla sixer for a few minutes last night and decided against it.

I am intrigued by the left-hand brewery's labels... I have never had one of their beers, but I like the artwork (the 400 lb monkey and stranger pale ale were available last night). Something about that art reminds me of music albums that I never owned and that makes me want to try their beer. Is that weird?

Leftvhand is good. But iv had several flying dogs....... Not for me. Don't know why they sit on the top shelf.

 

[iambeer]

I have to agree about the Hoppin Frog label. I have read great reviews about some of those beers but I still have not bought one because of the frog graphic. I also am put off by the plain labels like Two Hearted Ale, which I have never tried even though I meant to, because the label reflects my hand.

 

[bobbrews]

Enough with the hatin'...

I love when a brewery lists all this useful info on the carton (the more specific the better)...

Specs:
Original Gravity: 14 P
Alcohol by Volume: 6.4%
Color: 9.0 L
Bittering Units: 80 Tinseth
Malts Utilized: 2-Row Harrington, Caramel 60
Hops Utilized: Centennial, Amarillo, Citra, Rakau, Horizon (dry-hopped: Amarillo, Citra, Rakau)
Yeast: American Ale

"BREWED ON" dates are also VERY IMPORTANT!! Lets move on from cryptic coding & 'best by' dating systems.

Beerometer:

 

[iambeer]

"BREWED ON" dates are also VERY IMPORTANT!! Lets move on from cryptic coding & 'best by' dating systems.

Agreed. I avoid some beer stores because they look like they don't 'move' product. Popular vendors have it easier in that respect.

But a best by is better.... most people aren't equipped to know when that will be. A brewery wouldn't want to lessen their chance of a sale for vague reasoning.

 

[cpatel479]

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

There goes my idea of a unicorn ****ting out a pile or rainbow for my label.

 

[Diaperload]

This one caught my attention and I bought a bomber just because of the label.

 

[Eliterunner1]

I feel like 21st Amendment has some really eye catching cans!