How to Market Your Craft Beer Effectively

Nothing says refreshing like sipping a cool beer and relaxing outside. But how do you get your beer into consumers’ hands in the first place? Understanding the psychology of beer marketing and learning different application strategies will help to increase your success.

If you want your brewery and craft beers to stand out among the competition, you need a comprehensive branding strategy to reach the beer lovers who are sure to love your beers.

• Leveraging Psychology in Your Beer Marketing: When you want to market something like beer, you need the perspective of your target consumer. Depending on the type of beer you make, your brews may have wide appeal or only a niche market — either is valuable. Ultimately, the marketing materials you use to sell your beers should inspire some mild feelings of envy in your customers; they should see the people enjoying your beer having a great time and enjoying success and imagine themselves in the same situation thanks to your beer.
• Use Social Media to Your Advantage: Leveraging the reach of social media makes it an incredibly powerful tool for marketing. If you have social media profiles for your craft beer business, think of new ways to engage with your followers and provide them with valuable content on a consistent basis. Encourage them to share your brand with their social circles and foster personalized relationships that show your customers you are different from other breweries.
• Focus Locally Before Expanding: If you start a brewery, it is essential to capitalize on your local market before branching out to larger distribution networks. Cultivating a strong local following offers you a bedrock of safety when it comes to making potentially risky distribution decisions. Your local customers who know and love your product will keep buying from you as long as you do not lose sight of your roots.
• Custom Beer Labels: Generic labels blend in with the rest of the shelf. Investing in custom-designed craft beer labels and shrink sleeves can help you craft a strong brand identity that assists your beer marketing efforts and creates a memorable image in the minds of your customers.

Stop by booth 9094 at the Craft Brewers Conference to see the printing services available from Century Label, including augmented reality, hyper-customization, zippered perforations and unique varnishes. Visit centurylabel.com or call 800.537.9429 for more information.