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Commentary

This Summer’s Buzzworthy Beer Marketing

Whether it’s dive bar-flavored ice cream or a DIY beer guitar, brands are coming up with clever ways to build engagement.

Beer brands certainly know how to create a buzz.

All summer long, I’ve been marveling at the creative, clever merch they’ve been brewing. Perhaps the onslaught of marketing stunts has more to do with desperation than anything else. In an in-depth examination into the decades-long epic rivalry between Miller Lite and Bud Light, Sara Karlovitch of Marketing Dive pointed out that young people are drinking less alcohol than older generations, and typically opt for hard seltzer, wine or spirits when they do. Declining sales have heightened the stakes when it comes to advertising, and it makes sense that branded merch and promotional products would play an important role.

That said, here are some of the most interesting products and partnerships I’ve seen over the last few months. Crack open a cold one and enjoy.

1. A DIY Beer Guitar

Busch guitar

Busch Light, owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev, released step-by-step instructions on how to create an acoustic guitar out of a 30-pack of beer earlier this month. Busch partnered with Logan Elliott to create the guitar design. Elliott is known for creating instruments out of cigar boxes and other everyday items.

The guitar instructions encourage consumers to buy beer and create a personal connection with a homemade branded object afterward. It also represents Busch Light’s ongoing push to connect with Midwestern and rural consumers. (Other efforts included a limited-edition co-branded John Deere can with an accompanying donation to Farm Rescue and an initiative to support female NASCAR drivers.)

Verdict: DIY projects and music tie-ins are surefire winners when it comes to building brand connections, so putting the two concepts together is a no-brainer.

2. Yes, You Can Trap Mosquitoes

beer mosquito trap

Coors Light came up with an ingenious way for its customers to enjoy the summer months in comfort. The brand created a limited-edition “Coors Light Thirst Trap” that snaps onto the top of an almost-empty 12-ounce can of beer. The funnel-shaped device lures mosquitoes into the can, trapping them in the last few sips of beer at the bottom.

The 3-D printed contraptions were available for a limited time earlier this summer on Coors’ website, selling for $5 each.

Of course, the pressing question is whether the gadget actually works to attract and trap mosquitoes – and I don’t have an answer for that. But hey, it can’t be any worse than citronella candles.

Verdict: This is a fun idea, but perhaps a little too silly to have real staying power. Still, it proves there’s value in seeking out promo accessories for beer cans beyond the somewhat-expected logoed can cooler.

3. Boozy Ice Cream Inspired by Dive Bars

Miller High Life beer ice cream bars

As a die-hard ice cream aficionado, this brand partnership between Miller High Life and Tipsy Scoop is quite likely my favorite of the bunch. The companies teamed up to create ice cream bars “infused with the essence of dive bars – peanuts, sticky floors and, naturally, Miller High Life,” according to a blog post from parent company Molson Coors.

“These are premium ice cream bars that are reminiscent of all the scents and tastes of the dive bar that you actually want to taste,” says Bob Vydra, associate marketing manager for Miller High Life.

The alcoholic ice cream is infused with Miller, with up to a 5% ABV. It includes a peanut swirl evoking the quintessential dive bar snack, a hint of tobacco smoke flavor, caramel swirl reminiscent of sticky dive bar floors, a sprinkle of carbonated candy to give it the essence of drinking a beer and a dark chocolate dipping to mimic the dark wood and dim lighting of a dive bar. The bars are available for a limited time on Tipsy Scoop’s and Goldbelly’s websites and at Tipsy Scoop locations in New York.

This is a continuation of Miller’s ongoing ode to dive bars. Last year, Miller Lite created a dive bar-scented candle.

Verdict: It’s actually amazing they were able to make this sweet treat sound absolutely delicious, while still keeping true to the essence of dive bars. Two thumbs up.

4. A Climate-Friendly Brew

Kernza pils beer can and box

This last beer partnership was technically launched prior to the start of summer, but since it’s still available, I’m counting it on the list. Dogfish Head Craft Brewery teamed up with Patagonia Provisions, the organic and regenerative food brand division of the popular outdoor clothing company. The two brands created Kernza Pils, billed as a climate-friendly brew. Kernza is a perennial grain that draws carbon from the atmosphere and sequesters it in the ground.

“Whereas most grains are planted and harvested annually, Kernza stays in the ground year after year, developing roots up to 12 feet long,” according to a press release from Dogfish Head.

With the launch of the beer, Dogfish Head and Patagonia Provisions hoped to highlight the viability of Kernza and encourage the scaling of regenerative crops to inspire change in the brewing industry.

Verdict: This beer could be a conversation-starter as more and more brands look at ways to infuse sustainability into their business practices – and reduce the carbon footprint of their products. Cheers to that!

Theresa Hegel

Executive Editor, Digital Content

Theresa Hegel covers strategy for ASI Media, with a focus on apparel, digital technology and business operations and management. She's won multiple regional and national awards for her writing and reporting.