Beer Talk - The label...really?!

Beer Talk by Art of the Table
March 10, 2011

While logging on to Beer Advocate to research a couple of beers for today's beer talk, I came across a thread about judging beer by its label. Needless to say, I was somewhat outraged! Literally hundreds of people had responded with their favorite labels and arguing about why this one was better than the other, or why they were right and the other person's opinion was wrong. A brave few actually talked about the qualities of what is in the bottle, not just the label.

Now don't get me wrong, marketing and brand identity is essential to any business and as a beer buyer, I do take into consideration the labels and marketing of a company. At the end of the day though, it's about what is in the bottle that makes a final decision.

There are breweries out there that have incredible labels and marketing that don't find their way into our cooler because the beer just isn't interesting. On the flip side, there are beers in the cooler with terrible labels and horrid marketing. They don't sell as well, but I promise it wouldn't be on the shelf if it wasn't really good.
Beer has to be extra awesome if it has a bad label!

So, today's beer rant is now about great beer with bad labels...subject to my opinion of course. If you like the label, more power to ya.

In Da Coola'

John Henry 3 Lick Spiker Ale

Ale aged on Bourbon oak chips. The label is stark and unattractive, but the beer is best compared to Goose Island's Bourbon County Stout..for less than half the price. I'm not saying it's a substitute, I'm just saying it's pretty dang good. Tones of chocolate, vanilla and cedar really make this beer complex.

$2.25

Heavy Seas Loose Cannon Hop3 IPA

The kitschy label is cartoon-like and awful. A pirate looking overboard with a bird losing its balance and the words "Bird Overboard" meaninglessly written on the label? Yes, it is straight out of Spongebob Squarepants. The beer is rather the opposite though. Amazing earthy aromas billow from the glass with dense, sticky hops and amazing citrus and earth on the finish. Actually, I'm going to have to say this is one of the most surprising beers

I've had in a long while. It's delicious.

$1.80

Heavy Seas Peg Leg Imperial Stout

I think the label on this guy is even worse than the Loose Cannon. Cartoony and kitschy as well, this time the pirate is hanging the bird upside down, tied to his "peg leg" and a group of sharks are lurking below. The worst thing is, the bird is holding a sign that says, "Will work for crackers." The beer is freaky good though. Super heavy in the mouth with amazing smooth chocolate tones and a hint of bitter hops. The carbonation isn't insane, making this imperial really balanced and mouthwatering.

$1.80

Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. Ass Kisser Double IPA

The name is awful, the label is worse and the slogan is

gimmicky and lame. So their slogan,

"A great drink on the special ass kissing days...perfect for the boss".

None of the people working here would ever say this.

All of that aside, he beer is pretty darn good. Nice hop characteristics with solid malt backbone and hints of caramel and grapefruit/citrus undertones. The price for a solid double IPA in a 22oz is pretty great too...give it a try.

$9.50

Big Sky Brewing Co. Moose Drool Brown Ale

(I would have picked on Trout Slayer as well, but the guy has an awesome beard and you just can't go there.) The art is worse than Looney Tunes. It's just a big moose, drooling massive amounts of drool into a lake with a terrible woodsy backdrop. But I gotta say, the beer is once again very much so worth your time. Beautifully toasted caramelized malts with just the right amount of hops and carbonation. A very quality brown ale deserving of attention.

$1.65

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