“She Flies With Her Own Wings” – Oregon’s Label Art 2013

In that almost forgotten time, when crappy yellow beers roamed the plains, a label meant little more than knowing which crap we’re stuck drinking tonight. Boring us with non-existent aroma and flavorless body, these bastard children of America’s pre-prohibition age graced us with artwork reminiscent of that bygone era of local beer.

Those who’ve long contorted our perception of what beer can be are now struggling to catch up to our beloved regional brewers by bombarding football watchers with nifty ads, retro styling and gimmicks galore.

Luckily, for those of us who favor flavor over flash, the real artisans of brewing are giving us labels as creative and inspiring as the contents they behold. In the state of Oregon, especially among the Bohemian society of Portland’s brewscape, label art exists on another plane. Alis Volat Propiis or She Flies With Her Own Wings , the state motto, still defines us today.

Here are some of labels that stood out over the past year in the Beaver State…

 

Gigantic Brewing – Massive!

This smaller Portland brewer is making some of the best beer in town, made all the better by the unique and color artwork that accompanies it. Gigantic only has one year round brew, their savory IPA and every other creation is a limited release. This artwork is from their first stab at the barleywine style, and at 12% abv, it’s pretty clear they’re not messing around. Art by A.J. Fosik.

Fort George Brewing, Gigantic Brewing, Lompoc Brewing – 3-Way IPA

As a fan of alt-country and 70’s country-folk, I was stoked to find one of Oregon’s best collaborations this year featuring three dudes in Nudie Suits on the label. The artwork on this light, summery IPA that took the region by storm last summer is adorned with the mugs of each brewer participating. Artwork by Patrick Long.

Hopworks Urban Brewing – Organic Belgian Ale Series (Abbey, Pale, Apple and Tripel)

While intense imagery and vivid landscapes can draw the eye, setting yourself apart with clean lines and retro styling can carry just as much impact. Seeming to draw from a fusion of Art Deco and Belgian Trappist lettering, the bold Hopworks logo is a timeless, custom design. Each bottle features matching wax capping and colored highlights, bringing elegance and simple class to bottle art. Art by Portland design studio Jolby & Friends.

Upright Brewing – Coffee Stout

One of Upright’s newest seasonal releases, a barrel-aged coffee stout, is all the more dazzling with the unique styling of local artist and brew-guru Ezra Johnson-Greenough. He’s ensconced in Portland’s beer scene as the purveyor of The New School blog, plus the organizer of the Fruit Beer Festival and PDX Beer Week. The beer itself was openly fermented with a Saison yeast and aged for a year in wine casks. The artwork is consistent with Ezra’s other excellent work, often times all-digital, as seen below…