When it comes to what makes a good logo design, audience matters. You need to know which designs competitors are utilizing, which designs inspire people to act, which designs make people think -- and then emulate them. This is the same in all industries — whether you’re a brand that’s marketing makeup, chocolate, the Olympics or fashion.
But today, we’re talking about beer.
When it comes to what makes up the best beer logos, there are a lot of factors. You want to perfectly capture the essence of your brand, your brew, and your message — but you also want it to be fun. That’s what beer is all about, right? Having fun.
Unless you’re still in your college days. Then it’s all about getting drunk.
But I digress.
A good craft beer logo design has a personality. It has pizazz. It has charisma. It makes people pick up a bottle or can and say “Wow! I don’t even like beer but this design makes me think I’ll love this IPA.”
New beer brands pop up every few months — brewery brands emerging from basements and old warehouses, craft beers are in, and owners and developers sure are having fun with their logos. Brands are playing with fonts and images — in their logos, on their bottle labels, on online labels and websites, on glassware and more. They are learning what works, and what doesn’t. Just like brands have been doing for years, redesigning logos to find what fits. And these particular brands know what works.
Here are the top 16 best brewery logos of 2020 (in no particular order, except best to worst).
Just kidding, no order here. Just 16 really cool-looking beer logo designs. And who knows, maybe you’ll get some inspiration?
Or maybe, you’ll just get thirsty. But as long as you feel something, we know we'll have been successful.
1. Flying Dog
Flying Dog’s beer logo design is edgy, creative and fun. The brewery decided to stick with a design that was modern and familiar, using a simple pair of wings followed by the wordmark “Flying Dog.” The image is sketched out in graffiti-style, giving it an overall grungy and underground feel.
This beer logo gives the brand, and the beer itself, a personality that draws people in. And when consumers see these beer bottles lining store shelves, they can’t help but stop and give them a look.
The bottle designs include an array of watercolor backgrounds depending on the type of beer. And this street art vibe continues all over the label. At the top of the bottle, you see the logo. And at the base, you see a number of different drawings — some bottles have dogs sketched on them, some have crickets, and so on. These beer bottle logo designs are reminiscent of graffiti you’d see on your way to a new, hipster club in Williamsburg. And they definitely make you want to try a taste.
It's not just beer that comes with a great logo and package design -- check out these wine bottles for design inspiration!
2. 21st Amendment
21st Amendment Brewery captures the essence of the Revolutionary War in its logo and in its packaging. Written out like a banner, the name of the brewery is written out in a font reminiscent of 18th-century street signs. It’s regal. It’s authoritative. It’s revolutionary.
The 21st amendment repealed the 18th amendment — effectively ending prohibition, so it’s fitting the brand took on this name to remember this triumphant day in alcohol’s history. And you can feel the history and the power of this logo design.
Their package design carries on this similar theme, each can depict some moment in American history — from revolutionary battles to presidential speeches. These designs are sharp, hilarious, and really tell a story. Regardless of whether you like lagers or IPAs or not, you’re going to want to try this beer just to see if you can get some of that old-world sophistication coursing through your veins.
3. Magic Hat
The Magic Hat logo is fun and quirky — capturing the feel of an old-school magic show with its capitalized font and whimsical, aquamarine swirl. It’s bold, in your face, and captures your attention almost instantly. It’s a winner in my book because it’s simple but effective. And the logo itself gives me an idea of what the beer will taste like (at least in my head). It’ll take me on a magical ride — but will it be Disney magic or Willy Wonka magic? Who knows.
The beer bottles themselves are equally enchanting and captivating, using hypnotizing swirls, colors that remind you of wizards potions, and mysterious images. You’re not quite sure what you’re getting yourself into with these beers, but you know you want to be a part of the journey.
4. SouthNorte Beer Co.
Rustic, free-spirited and laid back are three ways SouthNorte describes itself — and it’s logo design emphasizes these chill vibes. The shape of the logo is created by the name itself, and the way the letters weave themselves together is nothing short of artistic excellence. The logo makes you want to sit on a beach under the sun with a cold one — so it’s a good thing they’re selling beer! The logo has an authenticity to it as well — it’s not just a name written funny. It’s got spirit and class and ambition.
The beer brand holds onto its Mexican roots and shows them off proudly in their beer bottle designs. Their label designs are bright, bold and brazen. Whether emulating the wild greenery or untamable sees, these label designs are pure art. And because of how intricate this background detailing is, the words themselves stand out with their simplicity. They are funny, engaging and entertaining. These designs make it clear that these are not beers you want to pass up.
Want more logo design inspiration? Sign up for our newsletter!
5. RedHook
Bright, bold and in your face — the Red Hook Brewery logo design is not one that can be ignored. At first look, it almost seems that the mustard yellow and the deep red shouldn’t fit right together — but the longer you look, the more you feel ready to drink.
But maybe that’s just me.
But the logo design itself is creative and simple, with a touch of familiarity. In the shape of three trees, the Red Hook beer logo design holds on to its humble Seattle beginnings. It’s not sacrificing where it came from for where it wants to go. It’s unwavering. It’s resolute. It’s determined.
And now I’m determined to drink some.
Whether you choose to stick with an original flavor or try your hand at something seasonal, the bottles and packaging are other things that’ll catch your eye. The short, thick bottles make you think of lumberjacks hacking away in the middle of the woods. The designs are strong, to the point, but with just a hint of fun that makes you smile before cracking one open and taking a sip.
6. Vocation Brewery
Vocation Brewery’s logo is simple and elegant. Using big, bold and clear lettering — with a touch of whimsy with its ampersand, the logo draws you in by its sheer excellence and regalness. There’s no messing around with this logo — it’s straight, to the point and fun. And their packaging is no different
Their packaging has that same elegance and regalness with more of a modern and playful twist. Each beer has a powerful name — options including “Heart & Soul,” Naughty & Nice,” “Pride & Joy,” and so on. They’re all tied together by that same, fanciful ampersand and a circle of tiny, silly and captivating drawings. These label designs are intricate and exciting, giving consumers a feel for the personality behind each beer.
I know the next time I see one, I’m picking it up.
7. Scrappy Punk
Ah, yes. The quintessential, bearded hipster. You might think the trope has been overused and overplayed, but Scrappy Punk knows how to work what it’s got — and this robotic twist on the classic certainly works in its favor. Combining old-school, traditional elements that pull us back into the Wild West with modern and futuristic elements like the robotic arm and eye really give this craft beer a vibe that can’t be beaten. The washed out, off-white background color and elegant script are design elements that remind us of a simpler time, but this robotic hipster is not one that will be forgotten anytime soon.
Unfortunately, Scrappy Punk hasn’t branched out and started selling bottled or canned brews yet, but I can’t wait to see how they play with this theme of cowboys vs. robots.
8. Maine Beer Company
Less is more, and Maine Beer Company really plays with minimalism and elegance with its logo design. The brand name, followed by a clean and simple drawing of a piece of barley, and then their tagline make up this tasteful and sophisticated craft brewery logo. They aren’t messing around — just doing what they do best — which is brew good, local beer.
Their beer label designs follow much the same themes. Simple. Sophisticated. Tasteful. There’s just enough creativity to pull you in — a crafty little image in the middle of the label — with just enough to let your imagination run wild. I’m not sure what this beer will taste like, but I want to know. I need to know. And because of this captivating, minimalist design, I’m going to find out.
9. Night Shift Brewing
Who doesn’t love a cute little hand-drawn owl? Seriously. Who?
Get it? Yeah, I tried.
Anyway, the logo design for Night Shift Brewery is none other than a cute, little nocturnal owl — talk about taking a theme and running with it. And it works! It’s creative. It’s eye-catching. It’s cute. It perfectly encapsulates the brand and gives audiences the perfect symbol to associate with their beer.
I never knew how much I loved indoxxi owls until this point, I swear.
Elegant in its simplicity yet daring in its use of such a common animal, this logo it recognizable and familiar — but most of all, it’s fun.
And so is their packaging. This logo takes center stage, with little else decorating the label other than the name of the beer itself. But it works. And each can has a fun, exciting geometric rainbow of colors on it to distinguish it from other flavors. It’s both traditional and modern. I love this design, and you should too.
10. Little Machine Beer
Who would have thought we’d have two craft beer logos with a robot theme? I sure didn’t. But this logo really does capture the essence of the beer, with its gray background, bold, white and robotic font, and the hidden robot in the center. It’s futuristic and fun and full of cool character. Right off the bat, I don’t know that it’s a logo for beer, but I sure want to find out.
This is another brand that isn’t selling packaged goods yet, but you can see the robot theme spills over into its growlers and online presence.
Are these not the cutest little beer-drinking robots you’ve ever seen? The design is fluid and fun. It’s happy and exciting and ready to have a good time. I might have to take a trip out to Denver to try it out for myself!
11. Deschutes Brewery
This Deschutes Brewery beer packaging and are classics in our book — there’s no denying the prestige and the power that comes from this dirtied and experienced-looking design.
The label wraps around the bottle in an old, yellowing brown that adds an age and sophistication that comes from years of practice. And the perched and flying birds add an elegance and a regal quality that is stunning and eye-catching. But it is simple and refined, adding a modern and minimal touch that is instantly engaging.
The logo sits as a stamp or badge of honor. It’s a circular design with the brewery name in the outer circle, and the image of a mountain range and flowing river within. This is natural, clean and old-world. It’s a beautiful design that makes use of little color and an aged, quaintness that shows its strength and authority upon impact.
12. Krone
This Krone beer design is modern, geometric and clean. It’s a very futuristic concept that uses a plethora of clever design elements to jump from the shelves.
The bottles and cans are made up of a matte coloring — in green, purple and brown. And there’s a color gradient quality to these bottles and cans with the colors fading as they move up the bottle. This matte quality adds a texture that makes you want to reach out and grab it — and then crack one open for your enjoyment.
But it’s the logo that really steals the show against this smooth design. The Krone wordmark is written in a capitalized, sans-serif and gold font. But it’s the innovative shaping that is stunning and captivating.
In this logo, the E sits on top of the E facing upwards giving it a quirky and cool feel. It’s a creative logo that emphasizes simplicity. But it works, and it grabs your attention instantly.
13. Baderbrau Brewing & Lyft
Baderbrau Brewing teamed up with Lyft to create stunning beers for the Five Star Lager brew. And these cans are colorful examples of creativity in action.
These cans are wrapped in a bright, white and clean packaging. They are sophisticated and superb, with colors and shapes taking center stage. There’s a mixture of branding here — the brewery's own logo and design in its wordmark and eagle emblem matched with Lyft’s signature pink coloring.
And this is responsiveness at its finest -- simplifying the brand's usually regal and complex logo design down to an elegant, gray image.
Overlapping pink and purple shapes make up the name of the brew, and the ride-sharing services iconic stars take up the other side.
This beer packaging is a mix of two brands, but they both come together seamlessly to create a design that is captivating and impactful as soon as its seen.
14. Commonwealth Brewing Company
Commonwealth Brewing Company plays with color and psychedelic elements in their beer can designs. But the one thing that ties them all together is the simple, clean and minimal logo design.
This is a logo that goes with symbols over words. The logo is made up of a beer chalice surrounded by a circle and encased in a square. The lines are thin and clean. They are white and bright. And they stand out no matter the color they are sitting on.
But this packaging is equally engaging, with fluid and flowing colors and shapes — like lave, water, fire and water. These cans look like a mix of all the elements, creating a peaceful vibe that entices consumers as soon as they see them.
15. Drygate Brewing Company
Drygate Brewing Company went with a paper packaging to wrap around their beer bottles. And each bottle comes with its own design and illustration that gives it its own personality and characterization.
The craft logo design stands out, however, even with the enigmatic imagery.
The Drygate logo is made up of a white, capitalized wordmark underlined with a zig zag that promotes a playfulness and an authority.
This logo is clean and simple, letting the rest of the package design shine through and letting users know that these beers tell a story, and it's one they should be interested in learning about. These limited edition package designs are certainly worth putting on a shelf to admire until you’re ready to crack them open.
16. Bald Eagle Beer
Bald Eagle Beer’s logo is exactly what you’d think it’d be — a bald eagle. But it’s not just a picture of a bald eagle, nor is it a minimal illustration of the bird. Instead, the brand went with a very futuristic and geometric bird with a light in its eyes. It’s bold, harsh and in-your-face. There’s an anger and a determination there that pulls you in.
And this logo symbol lines the can packaging — up, down and around the can.
Each beer flavor gets its own coloring — yellow, blue, red and more. But each can design is made up of the logo to further drive the brand identity home to the beer drinker.
It’s a playful design, and it hits hard. Branding is important, and this one knows that.
The Best Craft Brewery Logo Design Companies of 2020
1. Anakin Design Studio
Anakin is an award-winning branding and design studio specializing in design craftsmanship and creative use of digital technology. Their approach is a small and highly experienced team with over 20 years in branding and design doing work that's stimulating, challenging and enjoyable.
They work with brands, agencies and governments on small to large projects, developing sophisticated and sustainable design solutions.
https://www.anakin.co/
2. Anchour
Anchour helps underdogs and challenger brands build impactful brands. They are a digitally-focused branding firm based in Maine. Tucked away from the noise and the hype, they focus on the fundamentals of building successful businesses: strategic thinking, hard work, and honest results. Through beautiful design and innovative digital marketing plans, they bring brands to life and help them flourish.
https://www.anchour.com/
3. Anderson Creative
As a team, Anderson Creative operates under the philosophy that “individually, we are good, together, we are great.” This applies both internally and externally as they create a collaborative environment that is vital to project success. As artists, creatives, and problem solvers, they approach every project with the end user in mind. They use the fundamentals of design thinking, combined with intuition, industry trends, and principles of human psychology as a strategy for problem-solving, continuous ideation, and innovation within our industry.
https://andersoncreative.works/
4. BAKER Associates
BAKER is an independent brand strategy and design firm known for exceptional and award-winning creative. They have transformed some of the world’s largest brands into the powerhouses they are today: Nabisco’s Oreo Cookies and Ritz Crackers, General Mills Cereals (Cheerios, Lucky Charms to name a few), Wrigley’s 5 Gum, 3M Scotch Brand Tape, Hormel Black Label Bacon, Bauer Hockey and many more. The value of their services has been successfully benchmarked by the most rigorous procurement systems in the industry, as evidenced by the number of long-standing client and project relationships they enjoy. BAKER has a stellar track record of managing complex projects from meeting deadlines to driving the overall design strategy, master brand architecture, creative and production processes.
https://bkrdsn.com/
5. Left Hand Design
With hundreds of breweries opening nationwide every year the competition is stiff. The foundation of your branding is crucial to the success and longevity of your business. Queue up Left Hand Design in Austin, Texas. We’ve been in the game since 2004 and our process is thorough, yet simple. You can count on us for your logo and branding, web design, package design, marketing materials, tap handles, t-shirts and the list goes on and on. Our founder and lead designer Beau Morrow defines breweries as his ‘dream clients’. The first beer is on you, but the rest will be on us.
https://lefthd.com/
6. Lien Design
Lien Design creates from the belief that their award-winning design isn’t merely about a “pretty package,” but that it results from a strategic examination of the target audience and competition. A product's first impression greatly influences the consumers purchasing decision, and we take this fact into account on every design. Beverage label design has always been a specialty at Lien Design. That's why O’Sullivan Brothers Brewing hired them – for their expertise and creativity. They were able to design a brand that represented the family's values as well as creating a strong label that stands out on the shelf.
http://www.liendesign.com/
7. Bast, LLC
Bäst is a global creative design and strategy agency. They enable brands to evolve and scale by creating continuity through visualization, socialization, content creation and execution. By revealing product and service virtues, they deliver a uniquely superior experience. It's all about elevating brands and increasing engagement. They work with companies and organizations large and small, and have the ability to scale services without scaling overhead. Some of our clients are AT&T, Harvard Business School, MIT, Purina, Bally Gaming, National Geographic, Conservation International, Hewlett-Packard, Micron, St. Luke's, CAT, StatPADS, WTA, SAP, Smith Sport Optics, Carrera, Peak Learning, Laird Technology, Boblbee Sweden, Jackson Family Food, Cliff Walker, Pearson Learning, Nuance, Peak Learning, Bight Gear, Sun Valley Company, UPZ Hardboots, Sawtooth Brewery and Stoup Brewing.
https://wearebast.com/
8. cleansheet communications
Cleansheet Communications is located in the heart of Toronto and is led by two of Canada’s top industry veterans who have 11 agency-of-the-year wins between them over their 30-year career. Cleansheet is a full-service marketing and communications agency with a proven ability to create memorable and breakthrough brand platforms that inspire innovation and creativity in all who touch it. Their philosophy is to enter the process with hope and optimism and to do “Good Work with Good People.” As a result, they don’t have the biggest budgets in the world, but their work for Canadian Tire during the Sochi and Rio Olympics blew away the top global brands like McDonalds and Samsung.
http://www.cleansheet.ca/
9. Elmwood
Elmwood is one of the world’s most effective brand design and brand experience consultancy. We’ve won more DBA Design Effectiveness Awards than anyone else in the history of the scheme, recognition of our work’s commercial success. Elmwood offers industry-leading services in brand strategy and insight, brand identity; creative, design and activation; branded content and experience; and consulting.
https://www.elmwood.com/
10. Estudio Joplin
Estudio Joplin is a graphic design studio based in Buenos Aires, Argentina. They love branding and packaging. They have worked for brands like Royal Canin, Quilmes, Budweiser, Brahma, BGH, and others. Their hope is to provide quality designs with a sharp look at details.
https://estudiojoplin.com.ar/
11. Dog Ear Marketing
In short, Dog Ear Marketing offers complete marketing services that include everything a business needs to leave its mark on the world. Life's too short to worry about all the little details. Brands should let the people who know and love this stuff engage their audience and turns heads for the right reasons. Dog Ear is located in Grand Rapids, MI and works with local startups and established business owners in the greater West Michigan area to create and implement fully managed marketing and design strategies that work. They break away from the typical to create brands that stand out and solve real-world problems. They’re not just a one-stop shop. Once they create a brand, they can implement it across social, web, media and print. They offer a wide range of digital marketing services, providing everything clients need from start to finish. Their services include logo design, branding, business collateral design, and printing, marketing material design and printing, web design, SEO, social media campaigns and advertising, Google Adwords, PPC, graphic design support and much more.
Click here to find a high-end design agency.
Beer Logos, Labels And Beyond
With fonts that jump out at you, designs that amaze, and labels that pull you in — these are some of the best beer logos of 2020. They’re fun, flirty and full of personality — everything you want in a beer, whether it’s a local craft brew or a well-known brand.
With intricate detailing and quippy concepts, these beer bottles are not the kind you throw onto a beer pong table, oh no. These are true legends — at least, visually. They make you want to pop off that bottle cap, settle in, and really savor the experience of Gogoanime.
Maybe it’s the logo typeface that pulled you in or the whimsical label. Maybe you can really feel what the graphic designer was feeling when he created a specific beer label or logo design. Maybe you just really like beer and a certain brand had the brightest label that day. Whatever the reason, logos and labels are definitely compelling. And these designs really do matter. They affect how a consumer thinks about a product, convincing them to buy or walk away.
With these logos and labels as clear winners, it’s obvious that for the best craft beer logo to succeed — especially if it doesn’t have a legacy to lean on like Bud Light or Corona, it needs:
- Personality
- Flair
- A dedicated design
- A message
- Captivating images
- And a story
Without these things, it’s just another warm beer sitting on a grocery store shelf.
Plus, ensure your branding is cohesive with the help of the top logo design and branding agencies!
