We spoke with Batson River Brewing & Distilling Head Brewer Dan Stampone about Loon Call.
BC: Who came up with this beer’s recipe?
I developed this recipe shortly after opening our new Wells, Maine brewing facility in Summer 2022.
BC: What’s your favorite aspect of this beer (flavor, aroma, etc.)?
I’m most fond of the balance in flavor, aroma and body.
BC: Where does this beer’s name come from?
Our brand is anchored in Maine Heritage and this beer inspired our designer, Dave Smith, to reflect upon spending summers on lakes in New England. A lake, a lager, a loon!
BC: Is this your “desert island beer?”
Yes. It’s immensely refreshing and easy to drink. The cans are also quite reflective and could be used to attract attention from arial rescue efforts.
BC: Do you know a story – or have a personal story – that revolves around this beer?
When thinking of the label artwork for this beer, we set out to capture unique moments in Maine as a way to connect with our consumer on the shelf. To maximize that goal, we utilized a silver label to stand out among the increasingly colorful, busy shelf sets present in the marketplace. Our goal was to give the illustration space to breathe, drawing the consumer in through negative space and giving their eyes a place to rest.
We accomplished this by using an innovative technique of printing custom, watercolor artwork on a metal BOPP substrate with a painterly use of a white layer underneath. This allowed the illustrations to maintain color and detail, and by using the metal as the “water,” achieving a graphic look in an implied full scene. The result gives the impression the loons are leisurely floating on an early morning, foggy lake with little detail except the birds themselves. These are often the conditions where you will hear loons calling out to each other - a truly unique Maine experience.
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