New MNB logo
First, in case you were wondering, there’s no brewing tonight. Baby Teddy has thus decried.
Second, we’re finally ready to introduce our new look.
With a focus on the weeknights comes a focus on celebrating the work week. Hence the guy in the suit with the loosened tie. First person to guess who the inspiration for the figure was gets a free beer. We like this because it’s bold, easy to read and digest, and one-color. It should translate to printing on pint glases fairly nicely. Another reason why I like it, and why it took so long to develop, is because of how easily it fits onto a beer bottle.
Our thinking is that each beer label will feature this image as the dominant visual element. But each beer label will have a slightly different rendition of our logo. For instance, our Eye Patch Ale will sport our weeknight reveler with an eye patch.
Here’s an example of what the logo might look like with a little more color:
So. Thoughts? Comments? Gripes? Lay them on us. For us the biggest disappointment is seeing the monk go. But I do think that this guy represents us, our brand and our target market better than a monk. So it’s really not that disappointing, if you think about it.
This is incredibly dissapointing. There is no recognizable image of Bryan Adams anywhere. My only thought at first glance was “Psshhhhhh.”
When I loosen my tie, I generally loosen it a bit more.
But seriously, I like it. I won’t associate it with MNB til it’s completely taken over the Monk and I’ve had time to let it sink in.
it’s money.
(if you guess the inspiration of my comment, I’ll let you give me a free beer)
After thinking “Pshhhh, no Bryan Adams,” I realized the awesomeness of this image. I have always been an avid fan of the necktie, but who knew it could the letter O look so good? Only the boys in Atlanta. Excellent work.
loosen the tie a bit more… how about putting the monk friar guy into a suit with a loosened tie? i really loved the monk but this is cool too.
I like the Reservoir Dogs look. My favorite was Michael Madsen (Mr. Blonde). Free Beer?
I like it! Can’t wait to taste some beer. :)
Hottttt.
f***ing sweet.
Hey guys! I like the new logo. It’s a strong statement and yes, it does represent the idea of heading to the bar after a Monday at work.
Also, there’s a certain amount of tension in the image for me. Do brewers own ties? I’ve been with the same brewer for 15 years now and I’m not even sure I recall what tie looks like up-close. All you have to do is add a splash of khaki to the image and I might cry.
Wowz I really like the new logo. The one with the yellow background looks really good :)
Eh first glance of the picture and I didnt get it. Maybe if the tie was loosened much more.
Inspiration: The 68 Olympics?
j/k
I think it is a step in the right direction. Every good logo tells a story, but your story is just beginning and I feel that there will be much more to tell. Keep that in mind.
Good stuff, y’all!
I think it is sweet and I am envious because 1 color printing is cheap!
I really like the monk logo, but with some accessories (background colors, eyepatch, etc.), this could potentially be a worthy replacement. It does also make more sense given the name of the brewery.
I think it’s great. The feel of the design reminds me of a WW II propaganda poster mixed with an iPod ad. In any case, it resonates with me, a twenty-something professional dude who likes beer. I am guessing this is your target market…or is it…pregnant women who ignore surgeon general’s warnings??
The suit nixes joel, the lack of beard rules our Jonathan, the messed up hair isn’t Jeff.
Ummmm….Jim from the Office?
The new logo looks awesome! Very cool.
I dig it, but I have to say I’m a little bit jealous. Maybe if I would have contributed more time to cause earlier (and here “contributing” means showing up and drinking your beer) I’d have myself as a logo and not just as a beer-namer.
Still, beggars can’t be choosers. Nicely done!
Very striking image…..I agree with the above comments that it is going to take me a while to get used to. Also agree about the ’68 olympics reference. It is quite a shift from the happy-go-lucky monk to the in your face white collar dude. I think the color certainly helps…..but to be honest, it is a bit off-putting. I really wanted to be friends with the monk. I’m not sure I want to be friends with this guy. But I still want to drink MNB beer.
My guess is jeff….
MAD MEN!!
I dig it.
And I agree, loosen the tie more.
I think its cool. Being a CPA this image resonates with me (as I am typing, I am loosening my tie).
What program do you guys use for graphics? I have no graphics experience to speak of, but I’d like a straight forward program for making labels for my homebrew.
Keep it dirty in the deep south land.
I love it too. Looked very familiar though so I worry about originality. Ashley mentioned Mad Men which is very true, and I’ll go back even further. Follow the link to this old poster from Soulive: http://www.wolfgangsvault.com/dt/soulive-poster/F517-PO.html.
Anyways, very cool.
I like the black and white one better, but really I do think I like the monk even better. Inspiration, the movie “office space”??? :)
I forgot to guess the motivation.
Kind of reminds me of the Swingers cover:
http://l.yimg.com/img.movies.yahoo.com/ymv/us/img/hv/allposters/81/1800024981p.jpg
Its Joel . Looks cool, see what it looks like without the black line at the bottom of it, so that the white of the shirt doesnt end with a line.
I really like it, guys! good work! Also, so glad to see that Baby Teddy has so much sway. That is how it should be :)
And the new logo makes me think of Joel.
ipod ad+Chairman Mao propaganda sunburst= a great logo.
I’d like a loosened tie, as well. Although that might imply too much Friday after work and not enough monday night.
Good looking logo guys. does this mean your stepping away from those sexy round labels?
As for throwing my hat into the free beer ring, I’ll say that the inspiration is iPod add meets Mitch from Old School (Luke Wilson.)
Am I the only one who recognizes this as a lame ripoff of the Rogue logos? Put the guy in a white collar instead of blue? Who is your target audience? Yuppies who are too cheap to drink wine? Back to the drawing board if you ask me.
Ok, so I feel bad for saying I didn’t like it and not offering suggestions.
* Make it more like a bar scene.
* Put an old fashioned bartender on the label. Like he is going to server you this beer at home.
* Do you need a complex logo. I just liked the idea of just having the name as a stamp. Like what is on the monk now.
If you keep the suit:
* Like everyone said loosen the tie.
* Put a beer bottle or mug in his hand.
* Make him a fat guy. Everyone loves fat guys. (Monk in a suit?)
Thanks for the comments chris – you’re the first one to bring up any similarities to Rogue and I didn’t even realize they used a consistent character. For those of you who aren’t familiar with it you can see here:
http://www.realbeer.com/blog/images/20081002-rogue.jpg
They only use this character on some of their beers (Dead Guy for example doesn’t) and the consistent part generally is the arm in the air and the beer in the hand (although some versions that’s not even consistent such as this which features a female in a reverse position: http://www.novusvinum.com/images/beer/top10beers/rogue.jpg)
Will be interesting to see your thoughts as Jonathan shares some of the specific label concepts. Anyone else want to chime in about a first blush comparison of our concept to the Rogue ones? Last thing we want to be perceived is that it’s any sort of rip off.
I was trying to be a smartass and find something to criticize – I don’t know if his tie needs loosening more or not. All that to say, disregard my vote for loosening his tie.
The silouette look reminded me of either Dan Akroyd or John Belushi from the Blues Brothers. Put on a hat and some sun glasses and you’ve got one of them nailed.
It’s a nice modern twist and celebrates the M-F office worker. I’m always up for any excuse to extend the weekend into Monday if at all possible. Nice logo. I could eventually see you modify that icon to fit whatever style you’re coming out with. Perhaps a bit more punk in the hair style would work too or put a bit more “fro” in the hair and it could be Obama’s image too. I like it.
Re: the Rogue labels
I think that it is similar to a degree, especially because they are an established craft brewery which is what you are trying to become. However I think that the similarity is coincidental and the raised fist is not the signature logo of Rogue. Craft breweries in general tend to sell “independence…ie..breaking free from the budweiser bandwagon” and the raised fist is a gesture of independence, not Rogue-ism.
However, if I see a trout on a tie-died MNB Delivery Truck driving around Atlanta in 2011, I’ll change my mind and think you guys are lazy bums…
love the font, very readable and clean, i can see it on a bottle. Need time to process the new dude after falling in love with the fat friar.
HolzBrew: We primarily use Illustrator for our graphics, but will also use a little Photoshop if we have to.
Interested to hear other perspectives on the Rogue labels.
I don’t see the connection to Rogue… The monochrome (you’re showing the 9-5 “everyman” rather than a specific character – depersonalizing it), the defiantly raised fist, the suit and tie; it’s clear this is a different concept and feel.
This is a different deal, and it’s obvious that this was developed in line with the “concept” of MNB.
Bring back the chunky monk you communists!
Looks really great guys. I’d play around with the loosened tie that was recommended several times. I’d also play around with putting a fancy beer glass in his raised hand – a goblet or something to indicate “good” beer, though it may be too much visually. I really like the tie over the “O” – nice touch. Great font – really sharp guys!
Ties it all in quite nicely (no pun intended): stark color contrast and gets the message across in a succinct way. I dig it. Now bring on the beer!
Oh, and the only suggestion I might have for changing the logo, as a guy who wears a shirt and tie to work… pop that top button. That’s the ultimate “quittin’ time comfort” look.
Why not have both a silouette of a guy and a gal in business garb standing side by side? That way you cover both sides well. I’m liking the look more and more.
One last suggestion would be to have the guy hoisting a pint of ale in his hand.
Riddle his chest with bullet holes and have him cradling the sweet beery nectar as it flows into his shaking and censured hands. Now that would be a devotional gimmick!
[...] taken our sweet little time pulling together label mockups ever since we unveiled our new logo earlier this year, mostly because we have definite opinions and want to make sure we get things [...]
Let ME re-do this pathetic “logo”! ECCCHHH! How clip-arty. Used to brew myself, have been a graphic designer for 30 years, too, so I DO believe I can come up with something better.
JC