# Stamped Brew Branding Maria's Packaging Has the Charming Casual Quality of the Community Bar By Amelia Roblin | Published 2013-05-08 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/marias-branding References: [thedieline](http://www.thedieline.com/blog/2013/4/19/marias.html) & [michaelfreimuth](http://michaelfreimuth.com/work/Marias) For certain types of products, it's definitely beneficial to develop a [brand identity](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/big-hug-1) that's crisp and clear and sophisticated, but such a scheme would not have been effective for Maria's branding. The Bridgeport tavern and liquor store attracts locals who appreciate the establishment on a much more personal level. Thus, a casual image was drawn up that would become a distinctive style of [beer packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coors-banquet) for the business's microbrewery. This integrates standard aluminum cans and [glass beer bottles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mekong-river) but dresses them with torn pieces of white paper. The Maria's branding stamp was used to mark each sleeve and label, but additional impressions, illustrations and handwritten descriptions of the products give them a unique and very informal character that's quite approachable. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.4/10 - Popularity: 82% | Activity: 72% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Drinking](https://www.trendhunter.com/drinking) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Handcrafted Packaging:** Opportunity for brands to create unique and informal packaging by incorporating handcrafted elements. - **Personalized Branding:** Brands can connect with consumers on a personal level by using handwritten descriptions and illustrations for product labeling. - **Distinctive Design:** Creating a distinctive design by using torn pieces of white paper to dress up standard packaging materials. ### Who This Affects Most - **Craft Beer:** Craft beer industry can leverage casual and personalized packaging designs to stand out in a competitive market. - **Artisanal Food Products:** Artisanal food product industry can embrace handcrafted packaging to emphasize the uniqueness and quality of their products. - **Small Local Businesses:** Small local businesses can benefit from distinctive packaging designs that reflect the personal and approachable nature of their establishments. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Retro-Inspired Beer Cans](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bellwoods-brewery.md) - [Californian Brewery Branding](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/figueroa-mountain.md) - [Refreshing Cherry Beer Labels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tainted-love-beer.md) - [Artistic Beer Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/core-legends.md) - [Contemporary Beer Packagings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beer-brothers.md) - [Conceptual Craft Beer Bottles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sour-glass.md) - [Visual Beer Brand Identities](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/visual-brand-identity1.md) - [Eye-Catching Low-Calorie Beers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lowrise.md) - [Colorful Kombucha Branding](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/colorful-kombucha-branding.md)