Episode 091
091 – Brand Architecture for newer, and smaller, breweries
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss how newer breweries can use Brand Architecture to shape their portfolios and grow their business.
All killer, no filler ~30 minute conversations between CODO Design Co-founders, Isaac Arthur and Cody Fague, on the art and science of building compelling brewery and Bev Alc brands.
Recurring themes include brand strategy and positioning, brand architecture, behavioral economics, portfolio management, creative process management and the occasional dad joke.
Episode 090
090 – Can you Line Extend to a different style?
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss whether or not a brewery can (or should) Line Extend to a different style?
Episode 089
089 – 2025 BBT Review Q&A
Cody and Isaac sit down to field audience-submitted questions from this year’s annual Beer Branding Trends report.
Episode 088
088 – How Legacy Breweries can sell more beer
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss the unique headwinds facing Regional and Legacy Breweries (and how to overcome them) in 2025.
Episode 087
087 – Should your brewery launch a cannabis beverage?
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss when it could (or could not) make sense for your brewery to launch a cannabis beverage.
Episode 086
086 – How soon should your brewery jump on a trend?
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss how early (or late) your brewery should consider jumping on a trend.
Episode 085
085 – How to future proof your flagships
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss how your brewery can future proof your flagships.
Episode 084
084 – CODO’s 2025 Beer Branding Trends Report Overview
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss CODO Design’s 2025 Beer Branding Trend Review.
Episode 083
083 – How we rebranded Wachusett Brewing (Feat. Rob Day)
Cody and Isaac sit down with Rob Day to discuss how CODO rebranded the Massachusetts legacy brand, Wachusett Brewing.
Episode 082
082 – How to Dial In Your Packaging Hierarchy
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss how to organize and prioritize different info types on your brewery’s packaging.
Episode 081
081 – How CODO refreshed Malibu’s Packaging (feat. Ryan and Jill Ahrens)
Cody and Isaac sit down with Jill and Ryan Ahrens to discuss Malibu Brewing’s recent package refresh.
Episode 080
080 – Refreshing one of Virginia’s largest brewery brands (feat. Michael from Alewerks)
Cody and Isaac sit down with Michael Claar to discuss Alewerks Brewing Co.’s recent brand and package refresh.
Episode 079
079 – Endorsed Brand vs. a New Standalone Brand
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss when it makes sense to launch an Endorsed Brand vs. an entirely new, standalone brand.
Episode 078
078 – Why brand your taproom brewery?
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss why branding is important for a taproom-focused brewery, even if you have no intention of ever packaging your beer.
Episode 077
077 – How to Tame Rotation Nation
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss how a brewery that releases hundreds of new beers each year can bring clarity to their packaging.
Episode 076
076 – A Designer & A Lawyer Walk into a Brewery (Intellectual Property feat. Matthew McLaughlin)
Isaac sits down with Matthew McLaughlin to discuss all thing brewery Intellectual Property.
Episode 075
075 – How CODO helped AleSmith Brewing launch a Hard Cider brand (feat. AleSmith)
Isaac sits down with Brandon Richards and Kristen Ballinger of AleSmith Brewing to discuss their new hard cider brand development.
Episode 074
074 – How to Successfully Refresh Your Brewery’s Packaging
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss a handful of best practices CODO has learned after handling several dozen package refreshes.
Episode 073
073 – Package Refreshes vs. Brand Refreshes (vs. Rebrands)
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss the key differences between package refreshes, brand refreshes and rebrands as well as why these nuances matter.
Episode 072
072 – Introducing: The Package Refresh Series
Cody and Isaac sit down to introduce CODO’s new summer BBT newsletter series: The Package Refresh Series. Plus, why *are* package refreshes so hot right now?
Episode 071
071 – Make Your Brand Strategy Actionable
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss Brand Essences and how they help to make your Brand Strategy actionable.
Episode 070
070 – What we got wrong in the Beyond Beer Handbook
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss what they’ve learned about Brand Architecture in the two years since publishing The Beyond Beer Handbook.
Episode 069
069 – When to Jettison Your Brand Equity
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss when it can make sense to jettison your visual & Brand Equity.
Episode 068
068 – CODO’s 2024 CBC Recap
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss their experience at the 2024 Craft Brewers Conference.
Episode 067
067 – 2024 Branding Trends Report Q&A
Cody and Isaac sit down to field subscriber-submitted questions on our 2024 Beer Branding Trends review.
Episode 066
066 – The Year of Craft Lager? (The Year of Craft Lager!)
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss craft lager and how your brewery can nail this positioning challenge.
Episode 065
065 – A Quick & Dirty Guide Co-branding
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss Co-branding in craft beer, and why this is such a fun strategy right now.
Episode 064
064 – Rebranding NoDa Brewing (feat. Jacob Virgil)
Cody and Isaac sit down with Jacob Virgil to discuss their recent rebranding project with NoDa Brewing.
Episode 063
063 – The Regional Brewery Playbook
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss what they’re seeing in their Regional Brewery branding work.
Episode 062
062 – Defining Your Brand Equity: Fast & Slow Podcast
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss how to actually frame your visual and Brand Equity
Episode 061
061 – 2024 Beer Branding Trends Report Overview
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss CODO’s 2024 Beer Branding Trends review.
Episode 059
059 – How We Built the ‘Cold Drinking Beer’ Brand (feat. Virginia Beer Co.)
Cody and Isaac sit down with The Virginia Beer Co. to discuss their recent collab: Cold Drinking Beer.
Episode 058
058 – Can you rebrand in-house? Plus, what do we think about the BA’s independent seal
Cody and Isaac sit down to field our latest round of listener-submitted questions.
Episode 057
057 – All Rebrands Should Lead to Growth
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss qualitative and quantitive reasons for rebranding a brewery, and why all roads ultimately lead to increasing revenue.
Episode 056
056 – In Defense of the Branded House
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss the merits of a Branded House Brand and why this could be an important part of your brewery’s portfolio.
Episode 055
055 – Rebrands vs. Brand Refreshes, Revisited
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss the nuances between a rebrand and a brand refresh (and why your intent matters more than anything).
Episode 054
054 – Year End Action Items
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss action items to set yourself up for a strong 2024.
Episode 053
053 – What is a Legacy Brewery?
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss Legacy Breweries: What are they and what unique challenges do they face today?
Episode 052
052 – Embracing the Staggered Rebrand Launch
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss why the way we help our clients launch their rebrands has shifted so dramatically over the last few years.
Episode 051
051 – How to Design Better Merch
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss how to design better merch and merch programs and make millions of dollars along the way.
Episode 050
050 – Designer Q&A!
Cody and Isaac sit down to field questions from in-house designers, freelancers and marketing pros from around the beer industry.
Episode 049
How to Future Proof Your Brand
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss timeless brands. What makes a brand timeless and what lessons can we can apply to new branding projects?
Episode 048
Managing the In-House / External Agency Dynamic
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss best practices for getting the most out of your in-house team and external agency relationship.
Episode 047
Best Practices for Remote Work with a Branding Firm
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss best practices for remote work with a branding agency that might be a state, a time zone or half a world away.
Episode 046
046 – How to Scale the Sub Brand Ladder (Sub Brand Summer Ep. 03)
Cody and Isaac sit down to introduce their “Sub Brand Ladder” framework. Are you interested in building a Sub Brand at your brewery? Start here.
Episode 045
045 – Sub Brands vs. Endorsed Brands (Sub Brand Summer Ep. 02)
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss the subtle (but important) differences between Sub Brands and Endorsed Brands.
Episode 044
044 – Why Are Sub Brands So Hot Right Now? (Sub Brand Summer Ep. 01)
Cody and Isaac sit down to introduce CODO’s Sub Brand Summer Series and answer the question: “Why are Sub Brands so hot right now?”
Episode 043
When to Refresh Your Packaging
When (and why) should a brewery consider a package refresh?
Episode 042
042 – Refreshing Fernson’s Packaging (feat. Fernson Brewing)
Cody and Isaac sit down with Fernson Brewing to discuss their shiny new package refresh.
Episode 041
041 – What are Modular Identity Systems?
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss Modular Identity Systems.
Episode 040
040 – 2023 Beer Branding Trends Q&A
Cody and Isaac sit down to field community-submitted questions on CODO’s 2023 Beer Branding Trends review.
Episode 039
039 – Alcohol & Minors: What is our Responsibility as Designers?
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss an important, looming issue in the Bev Alc world. (Won’t someone think of the children?!?)
Episode 038
038 – Paths to Market for Startup Breweries in 2023
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss what we’re seeing in our brewery in planning and startup branding work so far this year.
Episode 037
037 – 2023 Beer Branding Trends Report Overview
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss CODO’s 2023 Beer Branding Trends Review.
Episode 036
036 – How do you differentiate a “boring” brewery?
Cody and Isaac sit down to field some Q&A, including how to brand and position a seemingly “boring” brewery.
Episode 035
035 – What Are Brand Guidelines?
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss brand guidelines. What are they, why are they valuable and why does no one ever read them?
Episode 034
034 – Q&A: Are Brand Archetypes Complete Bullshit? And How is Craft Beer Adapting to a More Diverse Audience?
Cody and Isaac sit down for some Q&A on the topic of audience definition within the beer and beverage industry.
Episode 033
033 – Rebranding one of New Zealand’s Largest Breweries (feat. Damon from Good George Brewing)
Cody sits down to discuss the CODO’s recent rebrand for Good George Brewing out of New Zealand.
Episode 032
032 – Let’s Talk About Project Timelines
Cody and Isaac sit down for a frank, somewhat productive(?) conversation on project timelines.
Episode 031
031 – Naming & Branding a Brewery (Feat. Andy & Rocco from Birdsmouth Beer)
Cody sits down with the team at Birdsmouth Beer Co. to discuss what went into naming and branding their craft lager brewery in New Jersey.
Episode 030
030 – Hop Water: The Next Big Beyond Beer Trend?
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss the Hop Water category, and why they believe it could be a big trend in 2023.
Episode 029
029 – Ontario Craft Brewers Conference AAR
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss their recent trip to speak at the Ontario Craft Brewers Conference.
Episode 028
028 – Were We Wrong About Brand Launches?
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss the importance of a perfect (re)brand rollout in a post-pandemic landscape.
Episode 027
027 – Q&A: Branding a Boot Strapped Brewery, Book Recommendations & How to Tell a Client Their Idea is Bad
Cody and Isaac sit down to field Beer Branding Trends Newsletter subscriber-submitted questions.
Episode 026
026 – So You Bought a Brewery. To Rebrand or Not To Rebrand?
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss some options for how to handle a brewery’s brand post acquisition.
Episode 025
025 – Beyond Beer Handbook Q&A!
Cody and Isaac sit down for some Q&A on Brand Architecture and The Beyond Beer Handbook.
Episode 024
024 – 14 Questions to Ask As You Launch A New Beyond Beer Brand (the B.E.A.T.)
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss the Beverage Extension Assessment Tool (B.E.A.T.).
Episode 023
023 – 4 Essential Strategies for Branding Your Next Beyond Beer Beverage
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss the Beverage Brand Architecture Continuum.
Episode 022
022 – The Role of the Parent Brand in Brand Architecture
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss the role of the parent brand in Brand Architecture.
Episode 021
021 – Introducing The Beyond Beer Handbook!
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss CODO’s new book, The Beyond Beer Handbook.
Episode 020
020 – Rebranding an Iconic San Diego Brewery (feat. Dan from Mission Brewing)
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss CODO’s recent rebranding project with Mission Brewing + a conversation with our FIRST EVER guest, Mission’s CEO, Dan Partelow.
Episode 019
019 – Reflecting on 13 Years of Craft Beer Branding
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss CODO’s 13th anniversary, and how the beer industry has evolved along the way.
Episode 018
How to Name a Craft Brewery
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss what makes for a great brewery name and how to actually find one.
Episode 017
Defining Your Brewery’s Mission and Vision
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss the differences between a brewery’s Mission and Vision, why this matters, and how it can help you build a more purposeful business.
Episode 016
Defining Your Brewery’s Audience
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss audience segmentation, customer personas, and why you don’t see more fistfights in craft breweries.
Episode 015
2022 Beer Branding Trends Q&A
Cody and Isaac sit down to answer ten hard hitting questions from subscribers on this year’s Beer Branding Trends review.
Episode 014
2022 Beer Branding Trends Overview
Cody and Isaac sit down and discuss everything covered in this year’s Beer Branding Trends review.
Episode 013
Goal Setting During a Brewery Rebrand
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss the common goals we see breweries set at the start of their rebranding projects.
Episode 012
How to be a Great Client (and Give Great Feedback)
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss how you can be the best client your design firm has ever had.
Episode 011
What Does a Branding Project Kickoff Look Like?
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss what a branding project kickoff looks like. Plus, art direction homework, organizing internal and more.
Episode 010
How to Hire a Design Firm for your Branding Project
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss how your brewery should vet and hire a design firm for your rebrand.
Episode 009
How to Find the Perfect Branding Firm for your Brewery’s Rebrand
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss the different types of creative partners a brewery can hire to handle a rebrand.
Episode 008
How to Launch Your Brewery’s Rebrand
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss the finer points of announcing your brewery’s rebrand.
Episode 007
A Formal Introduction to CODO Design
Cody and Isaac sit down to introduce themselves and CODO Design… 7 episodes in?
Episode 006
Defining your Brewery’s Brand Personality, Voice and Essence
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss Brand Essences—what they are and what role it plays in the branding process.
Episode 005
Organizing Your Internal Team Ahead of a Rebrand
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss the various people and stakeholders groups you’ll need to organize ahead of your rebrand.
Episode 004
How to Position Your Brewery
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss how to position a craft brewery.
Episode 003
Defining Your Core Brand Values
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss the various types of brand values a brewery can have (Core, Pay-to-play and Aspirational), why they’re all important and how to frame them.
Episode 002
Brewery Rebrand vs. Refresh (Evolution vs. Revolution)
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss the subtle differences between a brand refresh and a craft brewery rebrand.
Episode 001
When (and When Not) to Rebrand Your Brewery
Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss when (and when not) to rebrand a brewery.
Episode 000
2021 Craft Beer Branding Trends AMA
Fielding community submitted questions on CODO’s 2021 Craft Beer Branding Trends article.