Craft Brewery Branding

How much does proper brewery branding actually cost, and is it worth it?

Look, I'm going to be straight with you. Proper brewery branding isn't cheap - we're talking £3,000-£15,000+ depending on what you need. But here's what most brewery owners don't realise: your branding is your biggest competitive advantage. In a market where there are over 2,500 breweries in the UK alone, generic branding = invisible business. The breweries making real money? They invested in branding that makes people choose them over the 47 other IPAs on the shelf. Your brand either makes you money or costs you money - there's no in-between.

I'm just starting out - shouldn't I focus on the beer first and worry about branding later?

This is the biggest mistake new brewery owners make. Here's the truth: nobody will ever taste your beer if your branding doesn't make them pick it up first. You could brew liquid gold, but if it looks like every other craft beer with a generic hop illustration, it's staying on the shelf. Your first impression happens in 3 seconds - before anyone even knows what's inside the can. The most successful breweries we work with? They sorted their branding before they opened their doors. Great beer + poor branding = expensive hobby. Average beer + brilliant branding = profitable business.

Can't I just use Canva or get my mate who's "good with computers" to do it?

You absolutely can. And you'll save maybe £2,000 upfront. But here's what that actually costs you: professional buyers won't take you seriously, your products will look amateur next to competitors, and you'll spend the next 2 years explaining why your branding doesn't match your quality. We've had dozens of clients come to us after trying the "cheap route" first. They all say the same thing: "I wish I'd done this properly from the start." The question isn't whether you can afford professional branding - it's whether you can afford to look unprofessional in a premium market.

How long does the branding process actually take? I need to launch soon.

Proper branding takes 6-12 weeks minimum. I know that's not what you want to hear, but here's why rushing kills businesses: branding done in a panic looks panicked. Every successful brewery owner we work with says the same thing - they wish they'd started the branding process sooner, not rushed it faster. That said, we can work within your timeline if needed, but quality goes down when speed goes up. Better to launch 6 weeks later with branding that sells than launch tomorrow with branding that sits on shelves.

What if I don't like what you create? Am I stuck with it?

Here's how we actually work: we don't move forward until you're completely happy. Our process includes multiple revision rounds because frankly, if you're not obsessed with your brand, your customers won't be either. We've never had a client "stuck" with something they hated because we don't work that way. That said, the clients who get the best results trust the process and don't try to design by committee with every family member's opinion. We're not here to execute your vision - we're here to create a vision that makes you money.

Do you understand the brewery industry, or do you just do generic design work?

We specialise in brewery branding - it's not a side hustle for us. We understand distribution challenges, licensing requirements, label regulations, and most importantly, what makes people choose one beer over another. We know that your branding needs to work on a 440ml can from 3 metres away in a crowded supermarket. Generic designers don't understand that your brand needs to compete with Stella Artois' marketing budget. Industry knowledge isn't nice to have - it's essential when your livelihood depends on shelf appeal.

I already have a logo - can you just help with packaging and marketing materials?

We can, but here's what usually happens: your logo was designed in isolation, and when we try to build a complete brand system around it, the cracks show. Most logos aren't designed to work across 20+ applications - from tiny social media avatars to massive brewery signage. About 80% of clients who ask this question end up redesigning their logo anyway once they see how much stronger everything looks with a cohesive system. We'd rather tell you the truth upfront than charge you twice for work that could have been done right the first time.

How do I know your branding will actually help me sell more beer?

Because we track what happens after launch. Our clients see an average 40-60% increase in direct sales within 6 months of rebranding. But here's the real proof: retailers start reaching out to them instead of the other way around. Good branding doesn't just make your beer look better - it makes your entire business look more professional to distributors, investors, and partners. We can show you case studies, but honestly? If strong branding didn't increase sales, every major brewery wouldn't spend millions on it.

What happens if my brewery grows and I need to expand the brand to new products?

That's exactly why we build brand systems, not just logos. A proper brand system grows with your business - whether you're launching a new seasonal beer, opening a taproom, or expanding into spirits. We don't just design for where you are now - we design for where you want to be in 5 years. The worst thing that can happen? Your branding limits your growth because it only works for one product type. Scalable branding is an investment in your future, not just your present.

Why should I choose Inkbot Design over other branding agencies?

Because we're not trying to win design awards - we're trying to make you money. Most agencies create beautiful work that looks great in their portfolio but doesn't move products off shelves. We measure success differently: did your sales increase? Are distributors calling you? Do customers choose your beer over competitors'? We combine 15+ years of design expertise with real business understanding. Plus, we're based in the UK, so we understand your market, your customers, and your challenges. Choose us because you want a brand that works as hard as you do.