Beer Names

[AlexisScarlett]

Risque Names and Branding

Very interested in these ideas. I would love to use pin up girls (from the 1950's and 60's style) artwork and double entendres for my little brewery-- but I wonder if it would defeat the purpose of trying to sell beer if consumers find labels and names hostile and offensive. I am hoping that being female owned brewery and employing females for design, marketing, accounting and even my lawyer would be like a bulletproof vest against "derogatory to females" and that hostile tag. Unfortunately or maybe luckily I am with females that like what I do so I am not sure if I have objective feedback.

I have taken beer appropriately labeled to parties and events and had a couple of complaints-- but most were from men or from females drinking the wine anyway. And the people complaining change their tone when they talk to me instead of just about my labels. But I don't know if you can launch into a discussion of why your label is not well legally pornographic and convert a customer at the same time.

Has anyone ever studied the marketing effect or have a experienced take on using risque advertising on the buyers of micro's and craft beer? I want to sell to an audience that understands the humor and appeal of sexual imagery and I would love to market a Dominitrix Imperial ! But in the end I just want to sell.

[Buckley]

Well go with what would attract the demographic grouping you want to cater to. If you have enough market space to apeal to that then by all means have a blast. One thing I have learned is that no matter what you do someone will have a complaint. either you are too adventurous, or too plain. Personally I think the older pin up theme is a good idea (depending on names of brews.) It comes down to the same problem artists usually face. Do you make and name your art to appeal directly to someone or do you do what you want and hope that people come to you??? But remember the term starving artist.....=)

[Wyrdbrew]

Depends on who you are selling to.

If you are selling in a town that is socially conservative it could work very well. You might get a lot of attention from the "moral majority" and cause a lot of outrage that brings with it a lot of free press. Those lacking a stick up their ass might support you just because they want to thumb their nose at the up tight crowd. A good example of this is Wasatch in Utah.

Racy selling can be done in a classy way. Having an attractive woman in a suggestive outfit with a clever name might be a great way to sell beer. If it fits with the theme of a brewery then all the better. I would personally be cautious because that sort of thing can take away from the beer. I think "tasteful" would be my watch word when going that route. Anyone can come up with vulgar sorts of locker room kind of humor. Personally, I think graphic vulgarity shows a lack of imagination. Think "erotic" not
"righteous T and A." Something a little more sophisticated that gives the image of sensuality is more difficult to do but could have a good pay out.

[AlexisScarlett]

Funny enough I am very familiar with Utah. Polygamy Porter and bring one home for the wives. Why have just one? And I do live in a very conservative area, but I figure we are talking beer not politics or social change.

But unbelievably or not, the people that seem to react with the pin up's and the strange kind of posing and sly suggestion are women.

Not that we all choose to take awkard positions in chafing clothing when we are alone-- but females get the funny yet provactive nature of pin ups and girls like seeing girls on the label. It is like hey--that is a beer for me instead of scenery or mechanicals. I think girl on the label = its is for girls. That is great with me.

[mr.jay]

Do you know how many customers I have that come up to me and say, "hey, why don't you name one of your beers (fill in the blank)." Or, "you should brew a (fill in the blank) and name it (fill in the blank). Heh, heh, yea..That would be funny." As I'm sure it would be funny, to that person, as a previous post claimed, you can't please everyone, and someone will always be offended. For anyone with any business saavy at all, it's very easy to know whether something will be acceptable in your market. One thing I can't stand, is when something is crude for the sake of being crude, just to stir up a little attention. It may come as a shock to many, but I am very conservative. This doesn't mean I am a prude, I can appereciate a good joke, but I like to remember there are families (including my wife and kids) who frequent the establishment. You can be clever without being blatently crude. You can also make exceptional beer, and sell it on the basis that it's exceptional beer, and people will drink it. I cater to many college students, many of which are very, very "open-minded." One time, I had a "name that beer" contest, just to get some ideas. I met with the waitstaff and management. 90% of the cards submitted were rejected by at least one person for fear that they would offend someone. This was of course based on their own beliefs and standards. We have 2 seperate bars, one upstairs, and one downstairs. I've actually used different names for my beers in each bar based on the clientelle. It turned out, the contest winner was me! This would be my greatest advertizing accomplishment yet (please no copying). I made a super hoppy double IPA, and was stunted for a name. I was taking a sip from the sample port, and it came to me, Alpha Bomb. This worked both upstairs and downstairs. I advertized a poster with George W. Bush, and Saddam in boxing gloves, and simply had a caption that read, "a weapon of mash destruction". On the night of it's release, I played an air raid siren over the speaker, and ran through the dining room in a gas mask, handing out samples. I wasn't sure what the reaction would be. A gag like that could be taken either way. I was catering to the knee-jerk liberals by poking fun at the whole weapons of mass destruction thing, and catering to the knee-jerk republicans by mentioning weapons at all. Needless to say, it worked, and I didn't have to call it "Bush Sucks Ale" or "Pinko Commie Pale Ale" to stir up the pot. We had fun with it, and (most importaintly) the beer was awesome. I have also recieved many requests for a tee shirt from both sides of the political isle. My advice is, start with a great beer, and the name will come. You know, in India, there is a restaurant called Hitler's Cross. If you don't believe me, google it and see for yourself. Sure, they received worldwide attention, but are their steaks any good? Who cares. I'll never find out, because I'll never set foot in the place. A place like that doesn't happen overnight. Outrageously offensive things like that all begin with small compromises. Then you piss off the wrong person, and you have to ask yourself, was it worth it? An old friend once told me, you have to want what you want, but you also have to want what your wants lead to. The place I work in (the downstairs part of it anyway) is full of scantily women holding bottles of flourescent colored liquor in suggestive positions. I've never had to do that for my beer, and it sells fine without it.

[theburden]

You know, in India, there is a restaurant called Hitler's Cross. If you don't believe me, google it and see for yourself. Sure, they received worldwide attention, but are their steaks any good? Who cares.

Do they sell a lot of steaks in India?

b.t.w. the Mumbai restaurant changed their name after pressure and the international attention it brought, but your point is taken.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2006-08-24-hitlerrestaurant_x.htm

http://in.news.yahoo.com/060820/211/66t14.html

"It's just that we wanted to give the restaurant a different name. We wanted a good campaign. That's the main reason. Nothing else," says Sabhlok.

[mr.jay]

My point is, with a name like that, the focus was no longer on the product they were selling. Offensive and tastless beer gimmics, will appeal only to those consumers that that subscribe to that sort of thing. Non-offessive strait forward, creative names that don't carry any kind of agenda, or jab at any particular group will appeal to everyone, including those who enjoy the offensive stuff. When you walk into my bar, I don't care about your politics, or your views, or what you find offensive or non-offensive. I just want to know that your enjoying yourself, enjoying the beer and enjoying the company. Beer already has many a stigma attached to it (thank's St. Pauli girl, thanks Bud girls, thanks Homer Simpson and Peter Griffin, , thanks fraternity hazing gone wrong, thanks creepy guys on Dateline who show up at a minor's house with a six pack, thanks....), In this business, I have enough fingers pointed at me, by several interest groups and types for simply doing my job. I don't need to create another reason for them to put me under the microscope, and question my every move. On a personal note, I will do everything I can to prove them wrong, and maintain an image of integrity in my community. Sorry I ranted, but that's my $.02.

[scrubb]

Very interested in these ideas. I would love to use pin up girls (from the 1950's and 60's style) artwork and double entendres for my little brewery-- but I wonder if it would defeat the purpose of trying to sell beer if consumers find labels and names hostile and offensive. I am hoping that being female owned brewery and employing females for design, marketing, accounting and even my lawyer would be like a bulletproof vest against "derogatory to females" and that hostile tag. Unfortunately or maybe luckily I am with females that like what I do so I am not sure if I have objective feedback.

Well, Hip Chicks Do Wine is a woman owned micro-winery which seems to have done it successfully. Their labels aren't exactly risque in my opinion, but they're headed in that direction:

http://www.hipchicksdowine.com/shop/

"Riot Girl Red", "Bad Girl Blanc", "Drop Dead Red"

I think the fact that it's hand-drawn artwork rather than photos ala Bud Girls etc. makes it more acceptable for some reason. It also seems like the women on the labels are in on the joke rather than the focus of the joke, even if you don't know it's a woman owned/oped company.

BTW, this winery is right across the alley from the Hair of the Dog Brewery.

[RobZamites]

However, I did manage to get the new brown ale called.....ready?

Winona's Big Brown.......Ale

Thank to the band Primus for the inspiration

[beertje46]

However, I did manage to get the new brown ale called.....ready?

Winona's Big Brown.......Ale

Thank to the band Primus for the inspiration

What's next: Too Many Puppies Porter, Pudding Time Pale Ale, or LaquerHead Lager?

(more Primus/les Claypool inspiration)

[Butcher Scott]

re: Pin-Up Girls

Shiner uses a pin-up girl for it's Blonde (aptly named, Shiner Blonde) and I've never heard a single complaint from anyone about it, FWIW.

[Ted Briggs]

"Originally Posted by AlexisScarlett
Very interested in these ideas. I would love to use pin up girls (from the 1950's and 60's style) artwork and double entendres for my little brewery"

Feel free to use "Buxom Blond" I don't label but a blond pin-up was exactly what I had in my head. Just mail me a six pack, Id love to see it in print.
---Ted

PS- a brewery with mostly women, where should I send my resume?
I'll be the token testosterone.

[AlexisScarlett]

Hmm- I never thought of testosterone as a token. What else do you get when you cash it in? Sorry we will have males of all sizes and shapes at the brewery-- now the malthouse is all females territory so far if you have boots, shovel and a tractor.

I like Buxom Blonde but my concept so far of a blond is that she looks like barley in the field. Blonde is just among the sheaf with a scythe. Maybe she needs to be more girly with a puffy accessory The other concept is i see the Blonde as a conversion beer and well that brings up all kinds of scandalous religious jokes. You can make fun of the mormons because you are not going to sell them beer but lord help you if you make fun of catholics. Cathy Lick is even a funny name. I am going to hell I know

Now I have great paintings for Rio Grand Red and Pirate Girl. They cause all the problems because they have weapons and no clothing. Red has a bandolier and a couple of Colt 45's. Pirate Girl has a musket, a sword, a dagger, a blunderbus, and a knive. I figure with five weapons you don't have to wear pants if you don't want to. Farmer's Daughter just has peaches. The paintings are in vivid colors that only exist in this world during religious experiences and of course the girls are the very ideals of beauty and womanhood so it has to be apparent that we get the unreality of most female based advertising.

I am still considering the post(s) by mr jay and the creepy aspects. But I think my look would set a leacherous creep who hopes for some little passive thing back. I am in such a tiny market that I can't really afford to offend too many people-- but my very existance is offensive to some. So I am to the point of just going forth and the devil take the hind part.


PS I will send labels maybe-- Colorado to New Jersey is treacherous.

Oh- I think the Reverend Horton Heat needs a beer too. Calling in Twisted Barleywine

[mr.jay]

This has been a very interesting discussion. It sounds like the pin up girls are perfect for your brewery. My greatest advice to anyone is to have a "name that beer" contest. It's an inexpensive way to tap into your demographic's mind, and see what makes them tick. I viewed it as a generic focus group, and it helped me out quite a bit. Another thing that helped me. I kept a mental note of everyone's t shirt logos, and walked the parking lot to look at thier bumper stickers. I know, it sounds rediculous, but I believe this has been successful. When I first arrived here (I live in the city, about 45 minutes from the brewery), I was told everyone was a bunch of "hillbilly hicks." That's all I had to go on. I was ready to airbrush Nascar themed beer names onto licence plates, until I realized the huge college crowd they got downstairs, and the affluent people from the next county over who came in for dinner. I found out the music they liked (asked the bartender to write down the most popular songs played on the jukebox), the sports they played, the beer they drank, and the cars they drove. Of course, that could change next week. It's like Grisom said on CSI, treat your instincts as truth until the evidence changes. Once you have a formula, and it works, don't change it, just improve it. When in Rome....
Oh, and cheers to you ladies in the brewhouse!

[digibike]

How about proper names of dead folk?

So, I have an idea for a product that uses a man's name (first and last)- he's been dead for 50 years and is a little known historical figure (his life story has been published as a chapter in a book) but I worry that if he had any relatives still around they may be able to make a legal issue of it. Is this an unreasonable fear? Is there some sort of copyright on peoples names?