In the U.S., craft beer is a $28.4 billion industry.
In recent years, the craft beer industry has emerged as a powerhouse of innovation, flavor and community.
Breweries are places where community members can gather, spend time together and support local businesses. They tend to have high levels of customer loyalty and a community around their brands, which creates a perfect opportunity to elevate the brand further through branded merch.
Here’s how to find the right custom beer glassware for your brewery, tasting room, bar or beer garden.
Benefits of Merchandising for Breweries
In the competitive world of craft brewing, the strategic use of merchandise is a powerful tool for brand expansion and customer engagement. Breweries should consider these benefits of merchandising:
1. Brand Visibility and Recognition: Custom merch, adorned with distinctive logos and designs, acts as a walking billboard for your brand. Whether it’s a branded T-shirt, hat or even a sleek growler, these items become advertisements that reach far beyond the walls of your taproom. When patrons proudly display their support for your brand by using your products, you aren’t just making sales—you’re creating a community of brand advocates.
2. Customer Loyalty: Custom beer glassware, when paired with a thoughtfully curated merchandise selection, transforms a simple visit into a memorable adventure. Patrons can take home a tangible piece of the brewery experience, fostering a deeper connection and turning one-time visitors into lifelong customers.
3. User-Generated Content: Whether it’s a snapshot of a favorite beer glass or a social media post showcasing a collection of brewery swag, customers will create ample content for you to share and promote.
Choosing the Right Products
Before you start creating your custom beer glassware and other merchandise, it’s important to think through which products will be right for you. You want to curate a collection that resonates with your patrons and is authentic to your brand.
- Choose high-quality items that customers will want to use. Whether it’s the weight of a pint glass in hand or the comfort of a brewery hoodie, the tactile experience of your merchandise should mirror the craftsmanship of your beers.
- Choose items that are on-brand. Your merchandise should be an extension of your brewery’s visual identity and ethos. From the color palette to the design elements, each product should tell a story that is unmistakably yours.
- Go with popular picks. While uniqueness is key, it’s equally important to offer items that resonate with the masses. Identify the popular favorites—those items that seamlessly integrate into daily life—and give them a unique brewery twist. Branded pint glasses, hoodies and shirts, growlers and hats often stand out as crowd-pleasers.
Not sure what’s popular with your audience? Create a simple poll on social media to see what they want.
Also, consider partnering with a local designer for special edition/limited-time products. These can cycle in and out, creating a desire among your audience to get the newest edition.
Marketing with Merch
Beyond traditional marketing, brewery merchandise stands out as a dynamic tool for building brand awareness, fostering customer loyalty and extending the reach of your brewery. Here are a few ideas for marketing your merch.
1. Host merch giveaways on social media. This is a great way for your existing audience to share your content with their friends.
2. Sponsor a local event or festival. This will help to get your name (and your products) in front of the masses.
3. Create store displays with your items or attend markets and set up a table.
4. Look for opportunities to collaborate with other businesses. Forge collaborations with local businesses, artists, or even other breweries to create unique and co-branded merchandise. Not only does this expand your reach to new audiences, but it also adds an element of novelty and exclusivity to your offerings.
Elevate Your Merchandise Game with Us
By opening a brewery, beer garden or other local hangout spot, you’ve created a community of people who love your brand – and would love cool items to show their support. Make sure you have high-quality, well-designed items to offer them.
At Full Press Apparel, we can guide you through the process of designing your items, placing the order, setting up an online store or even shipping the products to their final destination.
Click here to chat with our team today – we’d love to work with you.
