The concept for Biker-Beer was simple. Create a brand of beer for a very brand loyal, beer drinking niche market ... motorcycle riders!
After years of talking about the idea and developing a thumbnail marketing plan, 2010 was the year we decided we would launch a new brand of beer for motorcycle riders in Ontario, Canada.
It couldn't be simpler, approach a craft brewer and have them brew and bottle a new brand of beer which we would market and sell to all our fellow bikers. As soon as Biker-Beer was placed in the bars, it would quickly become the brand of choice for everyone who rides a motorcycle.
But we soon found out ... IT'S NOT THAT SIMPLE !
In the province of Ontario, there is legally no such definition as brewing beer under contract. There are two choices - get a license to represent a manufacturer, or get a license to manufacture.
With a license to represent a manufacturer, we are able to sell our beer to the bars and restaurants, but it must be invoiced to the brewery, and we collect a commission. Essentially, even though we incorporated and trademarked Biker-Beer, it is operated as a brand of the company that is brewing the beer. Unless we open our own brewery, we cannot be in full control of Biker-Beer.
Not having the finances to open a brewery, we decided to go ahead anyway, so we sent out press releases and launched Biker-Beer on May 24th 2010, with the tapping of the first keg at a local bar. It was a tremendous success, and we received alot of publicity on radio, newspapers, websites, and blogs. Our label was prominently displayed and our excitement was through the roof.
The Biker-Beer website was receiving hundreds of hits a day, and emails were coming in by the dozens .... all wondering "where can I buy a case for home"? Our excitement could not be contained.
Then the LCBO called the brewer and let them know in no uncertain terms that our label with the sexy girl on a motorcycle would never see the light of day. There was no chance of having our beer in LCBO locations or in The Beer Store. Not with that label!
We could still place our product in bars and restaurants, so we ordered our labels and waited ... and waited ... and waited. We finally received our labels and had the first beer bottled and ready for sale to the bars the last week of July. Not only did we miss the peak riding season, we lost all the hype we created.
On Friday, August 13th 2010, we secured a 9000 square foot space in Port Dover and had a Biker-Beer Beer Garden. The day was hot, the beer was cold, our bands rocked the tent all day long, and thousands of cups of Biker-Beer were consumed. We had a very positive reaction, but until we open our own brewery, we cannot have our product in The Beer Store.
We have a new label ready for approval, a cool box design, and are ready to give all the bikers in Ontario a new brand of beer - but we need to start our own Brewery to make it happen.
After consulting a marketing company, they suggested we begin a viral marketing campaign asking for $2.00 donations to build our brewery. We are going to embark on a social networking campaign involving twitter, facebook, youtube, flickr and any other social media we can find. We need 875 000 people to donate $2.00.
HELP US MAKE IT HAPPEN ! DONATE $2.00 AND LET'S BUILD A BREWERY!
After years of talking about the idea and developing a thumbnail marketing plan, 2010 was the year we decided we would launch a new brand of beer for motorcycle riders in Ontario, Canada.
It couldn't be simpler, approach a craft brewer and have them brew and bottle a new brand of beer which we would market and sell to all our fellow bikers. As soon as Biker-Beer was placed in the bars, it would quickly become the brand of choice for everyone who rides a motorcycle.
But we soon found out ... IT'S NOT THAT SIMPLE !
In the province of Ontario, there is legally no such definition as brewing beer under contract. There are two choices - get a license to represent a manufacturer, or get a license to manufacture.
With a license to represent a manufacturer, we are able to sell our beer to the bars and restaurants, but it must be invoiced to the brewery, and we collect a commission. Essentially, even though we incorporated and trademarked Biker-Beer, it is operated as a brand of the company that is brewing the beer. Unless we open our own brewery, we cannot be in full control of Biker-Beer.
Not having the finances to open a brewery, we decided to go ahead anyway, so we sent out press releases and launched Biker-Beer on May 24th 2010, with the tapping of the first keg at a local bar. It was a tremendous success, and we received alot of publicity on radio, newspapers, websites, and blogs. Our label was prominently displayed and our excitement was through the roof.
The Biker-Beer website was receiving hundreds of hits a day, and emails were coming in by the dozens .... all wondering "where can I buy a case for home"? Our excitement could not be contained.
Then the LCBO called the brewer and let them know in no uncertain terms that our label with the sexy girl on a motorcycle would never see the light of day. There was no chance of having our beer in LCBO locations or in The Beer Store. Not with that label!
We could still place our product in bars and restaurants, so we ordered our labels and waited ... and waited ... and waited. We finally received our labels and had the first beer bottled and ready for sale to the bars the last week of July. Not only did we miss the peak riding season, we lost all the hype we created.
On Friday, August 13th 2010, we secured a 9000 square foot space in Port Dover and had a Biker-Beer Beer Garden. The day was hot, the beer was cold, our bands rocked the tent all day long, and thousands of cups of Biker-Beer were consumed. We had a very positive reaction, but until we open our own brewery, we cannot have our product in The Beer Store.
We have a new label ready for approval, a cool box design, and are ready to give all the bikers in Ontario a new brand of beer - but we need to start our own Brewery to make it happen.
After consulting a marketing company, they suggested we begin a viral marketing campaign asking for $2.00 donations to build our brewery. We are going to embark on a social networking campaign involving twitter, facebook, youtube, flickr and any other social media we can find. We need 875 000 people to donate $2.00.
HELP US MAKE IT HAPPEN ! DONATE $2.00 AND LET'S BUILD A BREWERY!
Copyright
2010 All Rights Reserved No part of this website may be used without prior consent. Any information found on this website is correct to the best of our knowledge, however we do not endorse any products or services appearing on this website other than Biker - Beer and Eccentric Design Studios. Biker - Beer is a registered trademark and cannot be used in part or in whole by any individual or company without prior consent from Biker - Beer. All photos sent to Biker - Beer become the property of Biker - Beer and may be used for advertising and promotional purposes without consent or royalty.
Bike Night at SBB
Bike Night China King
Meet Our Model
Buy Your T-Shirt
Campaign
Build Our Brewery
The Story
Build Our Brewery
Campaign
Campaign
Buy A T-Shirt