Research on Legges, Wye Valley Brewery & competitors

 This is WVB's existing packaging for their gift packs containing 2x beer and a glass.

Wye Valley Brewery 

"Wye Valley Brewery is a family-run business dedicated to brewing the best cask-conditioned beer possible and championing pubs as important parts of local communities. We use only the finest quality raw materials – sourced locally wherever possible – and are proud to be recognised as the leading cask ale brewery in the county." http://www.wyevalleybrewery.co.uk/brewery/index.html

Legges

Legges choice of condiments to include in gift pack:

 

 

 

"We're a farming family, and we're passionate about farming and food. On this website you'll find lots of wonderful food from our own family farm, or from many other farms and producers in Herefordshire and neighbouring counties."

http://www.leggesofbromyard.com/

Competitors

Hall & Woodhouse

"For many years Hall & Woodhouse have been brewing and marketing traditional bottled and cask ales."  http://www.hall-woodhouse.co.uk/beers/badgerales/index.asp 

This is from the famous Badger range and is the only gift set they do (contains 16 bottles of Badger ales). This image was taken from their online store. I do like how they have the images of the beer on the front of the box. The top is left open which leads me to assume that when delivered, or if in a shop, the top would be covered up.

Whilst they have a huge section on their website called 'beer and food' which gives recipes and beer and food combination ideas, they have no beer and food gift pack.

Fuller's

"Over the years Fullers' has built up a reputation for operating great pubs and brewing outstanding beers." http://www.fullers-ales.com/history.php

"Fuller's Griffin Brewery is home to a family of beers recognised as among the best in the world.

What makes Fuller's beers so special? Insisting on the best malt and hops perhaps. Or maybe it's our unique yeast. But more than these, it takes skill, patience, long years of experience, and a fierce pride in being the best." http://www.fullers.co.uk/rte.asp?id=3

These are examples of types of packaging that fuller's use. Images were taken from their online store.

 

Wells & Young's

"Wells and Young’s Brewing Company is the epitome of all-round business excellence, demonstrating sustained growth for its beers and stockists whilst combining traditional family values with innovation and development.

Firmly placed as the UK’s largest private brewing company, it is fiercely independent, and with an enviable portfolio of some of the UK’s most loved cask beers and speciality lager brands."  http://www.wellsandyoungs.co.uk/home/about-us

I could not find any examples of packaging from Wells and Young's.

Hook Norton

This is the only example of packaging I could find on their website. I think it is a reasonably good example; it looks like it could be made from recycled card (if it isn't then it could be). It looks like it's assembled by hand with no use of glue. It looks sturdy (and clearly must be if it's carrying 6 bottles). However, if I was to apply this packaging to the brief, I don't think it is suitable for housing a condiment; changes would need to be made.

Overall designs come across as simple with their brand/beer name being the main attraction which is clearly important as people want to know what they're buying, especially if in a supermarket and the packaging is competing with other brands. Colour seems to be secondary to this, but important nonetheless. I think most if not all of these designs I've found are quite smart, stylish, simple and minimalistic. Colours are usually kept to one or two and I think that works well.