*Please pardon the un-styled mess why I am rethinking and re-designing my blog!*

The latest edition in a series of posts about packaging: While I’m probably one day late (happy belated St. Paddy’s day!!!) I bring you a great roundup of 20 great examples of beer packaging! (Don’t forget to check out Part 1 – Coffee, Part 2 – Energy Drinks, or Part 3 – Breakfast Cereal!)
Love the owls on these beer labels!

Love the illustrations on these labels. Look out here comes trouble! Designed by Stranger & Stranger.

I love the swashy type on this beer can!

Quite possibly one of my favorite beers! An interesting Destijl style redesign of the classic packaging. Designed by Christopher Ritter.

Love this packaging concept for a beer carrier for Heineken. Designed by Luis Luna.


This is a student project by


Love the illustrative approach to this package design.

Ultra premium beer that comes in handy….1 packs? I like the black label and how it contrasts with the color of the beer.


I like the grungy approach that the brew dog labels have.

A classic…what else can I say?



I love the simple playful typography of this cider can!

I’m definitely fascinated by public transit system maps, and love that this packaging has a subway map integrated into the design! Designed by Lisa Llanes.




love this re-branding by Minneapolis based design form Hunt Adkins


Love the emphasis on type and the little quirky silhouettes on the labels. If I saw Yeti beer at the store I would totally buy it!!!! Designed by Cultivator Advertising & Design.

Simplistic Swedish beer packaging. Makes me want to go get drunk in an IKEA store!

I like the ripped paper feel on the labels

Interesting name for Taiwanese beer

This is the crappy Italian beer I drank while studying in Italy. Its hilarious to me because the name essentially means blue ribbon. Which makes me think of PBR.


There’s even beer (non alcoholic) for pregnant women…

Leave a comment and let me know!
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[40] Comments
Posted in design, Graphic Design, Package Design
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Mirko says:
There is nothing like tradition for beer packaging, modern looking bottles don’t make me want to dring (Heineken=yuck!)
March 18th, 2009 at 5:00 am
Paul Davis says:
Yay for beer!
Slight double vision problem though! =P
March 18th, 2009 at 5:03 am
Saylor says:
I’ll take one of each.
March 18th, 2009 at 5:51 am
Shevonne says:
Beer is good for everyone, even pregnant women!!!!
March 18th, 2009 at 6:50 am
Seth Stevenson says:
Ok I find that pregnant lady holding up the beer very disturbing. Even though it is non-alcoholic… just weird.
March 18th, 2009 at 7:11 am
jkiel says:
not only is the packaging attractive, but the names are great too!
Utah (yes that one) Beers
March 18th, 2009 at 8:29 am
Steph Adamo says:
Eew the astor beer looks like milk.
March 18th, 2009 at 9:29 am
Adam says:
How dare you even suggest that Peroni is crappy!
Great collection though, well done.
March 18th, 2009 at 11:40 am
thepicklebot says:
Peroni have long been a favourite of mine, their attention to detail is second to none. I also loved the run of advertising posters replicating scenes from Fellini pictures such as La Dolce Vita.
March 18th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
Liz says:
this post makes me hungry
March 18th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
chris says:
Love the Carlsberg packaging! Thanx for the post.
March 19th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
brendan says:
Great roundup. I’m a fan of the packaging on the 471 beers: http://www.breckbrew.com/beer/smallbatch.html
March 22nd, 2009 at 7:15 am
Chris says:
My favourite packaging? The glass I pour the beer into after I open the bottle or can.
–cz
March 24th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Niki says:
@chris
thats a great point! I didnt even think of the glass the beer gets poured into
perhaps an idea for the next packaging post!
March 24th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
ChickenD says:
I’m not sure where you are located but you may have missed these from Boulder Beer. We have two distinct lines for our packaging: our traditional beers reflect our heritage and where we came from (Boulder, CO and the signature Flatirons mountains), and our newer line. The Looking Glass series flagship brands, Hazed & Infused and Mojo IPA have won gold and bronze international packaging design awards. check them out at http://www.boulderbeer.com Cheers!
March 25th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Martin says:
I like “Skinny Blonde Beer”. A beer that undresses. As you drink, the label changes and the pinup blonde girls strips off her top: http://skinnyblonde.com.au/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18&Itemid=35
March 25th, 2009 at 11:44 pm
Steve says:
as someone who has designed quite a few beers I can tell you that 99% of the interesting stuff never sees the light of day. That modern packaging for the carlsberg is both wonderful and uncommercial, I love it, but it would never be made. Beer as a product category has been stuck for a long time too, t has nowhere to go, it can’t change and be embraced.
The most change that has come so far are gimmicks (widgets, citrus hops, drink with lime, ice filtered, agave beer, beer for girls) Nobody wants you to change beer! This limits both the packaging and the market proposition.
some of the beers you have featured are great examples of small companies, doing interesting things, shame that the big boys can’t follow suit. (they are trying though).
In terms of glasses; chec out Stella Artois (very clever design), Becks Vier, and of course the classic I have been to a beer festival glass. LOL
March 26th, 2009 at 3:40 am
Logo Design Guru says:
some pretty cool packaging. Heineken always has some interesting look. I also wanna throw out there that I thoroughly enjoy how Magic Hat has funny sayings under the cap of their beer. They are quite fun and enjoyable.
March 26th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
Callum Chapman says:
wow, love the one with the monkey type thing on!
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:08 am
Zepa says:
Does anyone know the agency/freelancer responsible for the Hitachino Nest Beer?
April 13th, 2009 at 5:20 am
Raj says:
Please for the love of God! Don’t serve any beer, even non-alcoholic beer to a pregnant woman. It has some alcohol in it.
April 18th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
dmentid says:
Ummm… where is flying dog beer? Ralph Steadman designed their packaging.
April 18th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
TheFingDay says:
Great collection. I am a fan of the Cider Beer design as well, simple yet brilliant.
April 24th, 2009 at 11:22 am
elena says:
http://www.packagingdesignarchive.org/archive/browse_by_property/26/alchools%20and%20spirits
May 12th, 2009 at 3:18 am
tek serivo says:
first off, great collection, second i drink straight from the bottle/can, right now i’m drinking trouble brewing amber ale, but my favorite package has to be either killian’s irish red with the horse head or sam adams boston lager.
July 19th, 2009 at 9:05 am