With St. Patrick’s Day around the corner, beer is on our mind, and not beer dyed green but real Irish inspired beer. With all the beers available today we choose an Irish beer brewed by an American company and an Irish beer that originated in Dublin, Ireland. Samuel Adams Irish Red, part of their brew master’s collection and Guinness draught. Both companies brew several versions of beer.
- Does the label announce what’s inside the package?
At first glance one would think so but upon further examination neither of the labels mentions the word “beer” on it! We are familiar with the shape of the bottle; we know it is a beer bottle but only due the heavy marketing in this beverage field. The Samuel Adams label actually depicts a colonial gentleman holding a stein of beer. The Guinness bottle does not mention or show that it is indeed a beer. It is implied with the “Brewed in Dublin” and that it is a pasteurized stout, but it does not state it is a beer. We are going just on provided information from the labels and not from our inherited Knowledge. The Samuel Adams’ label is clearer as they display a picture of their product.
2. Does the label attract attention?
The labels and bottles convey totally different messages. Although both bottles are almost identical in shape the similarity stops there. Both labels are eye catching put in opposite directions. The Guinness is a sleek black bottle with an even slicker black label. The type is simple but elegant with white and gold lettering. Aimed at the sophisticated drinker this label attracts the drinker who looking to impress; the traveled gentlemen in the black leather jacket or the person who wants to be. Not sure what the harp logo is symbolizing but it does tell you it was established in 1759. This label is a bit mysterious. Samuel Adams is made in America and appears proud of it. From its slightly rustic and corny drawing to its “Product of America” and their declaration of a Boston Beer Company- they are proud to be from here and you should be too! The colonial gentleman in the drawing implies the company’s long history of beer brewing.
3. Does the label instill confidence?
Both brands have amazing reputations and due to advertising are household names to any beer drinker. Each label also has a distinct character and catches the eye but in such different ways. These brands emphasis their long tradition of brewing beer. Samuel Adams is stressing how special this beer is by calling it part of their brew master collection. The Guinness label carries the founder’s signature.
It is a tough call here but my nod goes to Guinness for its classic design. The black Guinness bottle with the sleek label gives the impression of a smooth, dark beer that tastes great. On the other hand our marketing company prefers the rustic design of the Samuel Adam’s label with its clear picture of beer drinking enjoyment. Seeing that this is a beer from their brew master collection makes them want to try this variety today. What’s your call?
I invite you to participate in the “Good Label, Bad Label” forum. We’ve all seen a bad label or twelve, so please feel free to send us some awesomely bad examples and your submission could be included in our series!
Blue Ribbon Tag & Label offers a wide range of services and products, including food labels, pharmaceutical labels, cosmetic labels, veterinary labels and expanded text labels. If you need a professionally designed label, call us at 1-800-433-4974. We’ll get the job done.
