Post Legges and Wye Valley Visit & Q+A

'Wye Valley Brewery is a family-run business dedicated to brewing the best cask-conditioned beer possible and championing pubs as important parts of local communities. We use only the finest quality raw materials - sourced locally wherever possible - and are proud to be recognised as the leading cask ale brewery in the county.

Founded in 1985 by ex-Guinness brewer Peter Amor, we began brewing in Canon Pyon, Hertfordshire, but moved shortly afterwards to the old stable block of The Barrels, an historic 18th century coaching inn, in Hereford.

By April 2002 the brewery had outgrown its Hereford home and relocated to its present site in Stoke Lacy. Also in 2002, after completing his brewing training at Young's Brewery in Wandworth, Peter's son Vernon took over as our managing director.' - Wye Valley Brewery.

Ale's sold by Wye Valley Brewery

Condiments sold by Legges of Bromyard

Here are some important points raised from the clients during the Q&A which I will definitely have to take into consideration.

Notes from the Q+A

• The Package must contain three products. This could be two ale’s and a condiment or two condiments and one ale. Preferably best to package two ale’s as the ales are the main selling point and focus of the package.

•  Can mix the ales. Both ales can be different; don’t have to be the same ale in the package. If that adds more flexibility to the package and the design. 

•  Packaging must bear both logos. Wye Valley Brewery and Legges of Bromyard.

• The audience/market who will be purchasing the ales will be primarily Women for their husbands, as a gift for a brother, uncle etc.  However it will be mainly male consumers so this has to be taken into account but don’t over feminise the packaging/design.

•  Gill Sans is the preferred font to be used on the packaging.

•   Food and ales is becoming big. Look into the combination, what condiment and ale complement each other and would work well. This area has huge potential.

•  Tradition could play a huge part in the design/package.  Wye Valley and Legges pride themselves on using local and raw ingredients; perhaps combat this with a rustic skew for example.

•  They want a mature design but not too old fashioned.

•  No specific colour scheme, despite Wye Valley primarily using browns and creams for their packaging.  Open to change.

•  Strike a balance with the design/packaging. Advertising products from two different businesses don’t alienate one; strike a balance in the design.

• Both businesses focus on quality and craft with their products, this has to be conveyed in the packaging.   

• Competitors are Badgers and Fullers. Look into their packaging to gain a feel of the market and their competitors.

•  Open to using QR codes.

•   All current packaging is made from cardboard and is hand assembled. Open minded to using different materials however take into consideration it must be practical for storage and transport.

•       The green element of the packaging is very important and is a message the clients want to be portrayed to the customers and something they believe could be used as a selling point.

•      Consider using vegetable inks, the sustainability and re-usability of the packaging.