The 10 Coolest Craft Beer Labels
By Danielle Bouchat Friedman
Here are Some of the Coolest Craft Beer Labels on the Market
From psychedelic to simplistic, here are the brews that are standing out on the shelves.
There are now more than 6,000 breweries operating in the United States, more than 98 percent of which are small and independent. With that being said, how do craft beer consumers choose what to ultimately purchase? Like wine, sometimes it all comes down to the label. Below are ten beer labels that stand out on the shelves for their creativity, color, and of course, anticipated taste.
21st Amendment Brewing Sneak Attack
West Coast brewery 21st Amendment Brewery uses all 360 degrees of this label to tell a story. This saison—which is only available during winter—is completely unexpected (a total sneak attack) in the same way that the enemy didn’t expect Washington to cross the icy Delaware in 1776.
Captain Lawrence Brewing Company Effortless IPA and Block
Captain Lawrence started out as a small brewery in Elmsford, New York, in 2006. After growing substantially, the brewery hired EGC Group to develop a new line of custom-illustrated packaging. The Effortless IPA depicts a “hop” lounging with shades and flip-flops on with a beer in hand, while Sun Block features an Orville Redenbacher lookalike sipping on a giant brew.
Dogfish Head Brewery Romantic Chemistry
Released in 2016, this beer is brewed with an intermingling of mangos, apricots, and ginger, which is exactly what’s depicted on the label. It’s sweet, silly, and superbly sunny.
Mispillion River Brewing Space Otter
Who can resist a beer can adorned with an adorable otter, especially one dressed as an astronaut? There’s also a limited-release zombie edition (though definitely not as cute).
Flying Dog Brewery Lucky SOB
What makes this beer lucky? Perhaps it’s the handful of four-leaf clovers that it’s brewed with. Illustrator Ralph Steadman, best known for his works of Hunter S. Thompson, is the man behind Flying Dog’s clever labels.
Great Lakes Brewing Co. Turntable Pils
Great Lakes keeps churning out delicious beer, and its Turntable Pils is certainly no exception. Its nostalgic label pays homage to Ohio’s music legacy.
Huyghe Delirium Tremens
There are six varieties of Delirium, all of which have a lovable pink elephant on the label. Also noteworthy is the speckled ceramic bottle.
Southern Tier Brewing Company The Psychic Laser
The Psychic Laser is number three in a six-part series, as interpreted by sci-fi artist Christopher Balaskas. The next design will be released on July 2.
UFO—White and Pink Lemonade Shandy
A white can really stands out on a shelf among hundreds of colorful concoctions. Both beers are light, crisp, and refreshing.
Uinta Brewing Detour Double IPA
Looking for a little adventure? Sip on Uinta’s Detour Double IPA, which depicts a vintage International Scout and Airstream Camper heading toward the great outdoors.