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Expert analysis that helps your team make better branding decisions and build a more resilient 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 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 060

060 – Let’s talk Hard Cider

Cody and Isaac sit down to discuss all things Hard Cider.

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.