ANCHOR STEAM’S BEER LOGO REDESIGN: LOVE IT OR REALLY, REALLY HATE IT?
With the debates raging nationally over coronavirus vaccines and economic bailouts, this hardly seems the time to get agitated about a beer label.
On the other hand, this might be just the thing to take our collective mind off pandemic politics now that we’ve exhausted virtually all of the Bernie Sanders meme possibilities.
For those who haven’t heard, here’s the outrage roiling the beer world: San Francisco’s storied Anchor Brewing Co. has changed its logo.
Yes, as part of its 125th anniversary celebration, the brewery — now owned by Sapporo — has decided to ditch the classy label and invigorate the brand with bold colors and typography that can be seen for a mile through fog.
Granted, they haven’t (yet) altered what’s inside the bottle. But, as we’re pretty sure Don Draper told us many times, you don’t mess with an American classic. You don’t change the recipe for Heinz Ketchup. Or replace the Levi’s button on jeans. Or play seven innings of baseball (OK, unless it’s a doubleheader during an abbreviated season).
And need we mention the New Coke debacle?
Design detractors were quick to flood social media with their opinions.
“Oy. Someone skipped the research budget of this campaign,” Amy M. said on Twitter.
Tony Wessling posted simply: “#brandfail.”
And Reza Esmaili wrote:
“Particularly alarming since they were #Westcoast pioneers of #Steamale & that label is iconic. Let’s hope this is a limited release for their 125th anniversary?”
Many observers speculate that the decision by Sapporo Brewing, which purchased the company in 2017, is meant to increase sales by appealing to a new, younger generation of drinkers.
If that’s the case, we think a new product could do the trick. How about a low-calorie, fruity alcoholic beverage?
Oh wait, that’s already in the works. Anchor’s new brew, Little Weekend, “a light golden ale brimming with mango flavor,” will make its debut in March as part of the the aforementioned anniversary festivities.
So we’re good. Now bring back the classic label.