Big Time Branding Terms Debunked pt 1:

Ask any head of a multibillion dollar corporation about how to keep their customers coming back, and you will most likely be starting a conversation about brand.  Branding is the image that a company portrays to the public using symbols, terms, or methods that are unique to their company.  Multibillion dollar beer companies spend millions of dollars every year creating a brand around the beers, most often to cover up the fact that there really is not difference behind their equally shoddy product.

So when you think about big beer commercials what is probably the most common theme you will see?  Take a look:

Silver, cold, ice.  Yes all the major companies at one time or another promise a refreshing beer served ice cold, the colder the better.  In my humblest opinion this serves two purposes for their brands.  The first to cover up that they all taste the same, and second to cover up the fact their beer tastes
"funky" (dare I say like crap).  No a good craft beer can hold up to temperatures of 40 to 50 degrees, but try drinking a Coors at that temperature...

Don't Fruit Your Beer:  Do you remember Miller's "Man Law" commercials.  Here is one of my favorites:

It's funny how this commercial and mindset vanished from Miller's bag of tricks.  It might have something to do with the fact they now own majorty stake in the following beers that out right break this rule:

1. Miller Chill (Lime)
2. Leinenkugel's Berry Weiss (Mixed Berries)
3. Leinenkugel's Honey Weiss (often served with Lemon)
4. Blue Moon (often served with an orange)

Those are just a few that I was able to find at a glance.  So much for not fruiting your beers!We of the craft brew persuasion have been fruiting our beers for year, heck the most ancient beers (sour beers) were most probably fruited!  Here are some great Midwest "fruited" beers:

1. Lift Bridge Brewery:  Spring Fling (Bitter Orange)
2. Flat Earth Brewing :Cygnus X1 Porter (Various flavors)
3. Raspberry Tart:  New Glarus Brewing (Raspberry)

Again, these are just the ones I could find off the top of my head.  If you like this article leave a comment an let us know!  We'll write another!