Brewery Marketing: How Brewers Pour Print into the Process

As any brewmaster knows, getting beer lovers into the taproom and onto the patio begins with marketing. Overseeing day-to-day operations at the brewhouse and tasting room at Dwinell Country Ales in Goldendale, WA, Jocelyn Leigh uses custom Brochures to promote their pints. “The tri-fold brochure is used as an informational pamphlet and sign-up sheet for our tasting room’s beer club,” Leigh says. “And there’s a second version for our bottle membership as well.”

An essential for brewery marketing, Leigh’s brochures are kept by the register, on tables during events and taken to beer festivals. And since they have content about the brewery and the beer, they’re “a great way for customers to get to know us even if the bar or event is busy and there’s not time for a one-on-one conversation,” she says.

Just like Leigh’s brochure “acts as a natural conversation starter rather than a sales pitch,” so too do our Direct Mail Postcards. Ideal for creating brand awareness and inviting customers and potential clients to your brewery, the postcards get your malty message straight to your audience while we handle list acquisition, list processing, addressing and mailing.

For an upscale online printing solution, design custom Saddle Stitch Booklets with pages laid together and stapled through the fold line. Clean and simple, they’re perfect for showcasing your background story, seasonal pours, merchandise, events and can even be mailed directly to customers.

No matter how citrusy the shandy or crisp the pilsner, if your brewery is lacking in atmosphere, it’ll be lacking in attendance, too. Rich Norton, Creative Director at Ruby Valley Brew in Sheridan, MT, knows what’s on the taproom walls needs to be as impactful as what’s in the beer.

He leverages Large Posters to “bring our beer label artwork to life.” Norton’s “horses-as-humans” illustrations create a “visual combination [that] feels historic, yet fun” and reflects the brewery’s ranching influence.

It’s a strategy that never goes stale. “The overall brand image and personality exists in all that we create,” Norton says, including Business Cards that act as a contact and coupon for first-time customers.

Smartpress’ online printing services crack open the creativity on your brewery decor with Small Posters for branded artwork and product marketing, Door Hangers for custom growler tags and Bottle Labels bottles, packaging and merchandise. Hint: Design your own branded merchandise with Promotional Products. Get custom coasters, apparel, drinkware and more.

There are numerous reasons why breweries keep pairing up with Smartpress as their online printer. For Krawczuk and his Waterproof Menus, it’s simple and straightforward: “We were impressed mainly by how durable they were,” he says. “We really, really tried to ruin these things with no luck and have saved hundreds of dollars on toner and paper.”

For Jappe, it’s Smartpress’ execution and communication: “Every interaction with staff is kind and professional,” she says. “The order is done right and on time!”

High quality and expert service are obvious essentials for a brewery and their printer. “We rely on print even in this digital world,” Jappe says. “We aim to connect with our community in multiple ways, and having polished, professional print that will catch the eye of the consumer, as well as potential new community partners, is key to our success.”