JDO

Agency: JDO
Client: Shepherd Neame
Project type: Commercial
Location: UK

JDO launches new brand extension for Spitfire

JDO Brand & Design has continued its partnership with Shepherd Neame, the Kent based brewery, to launch Spitfire Gold, a new brand extension for the brewery’s flagship ale, Spitfire. JDO has previously worked with the brewery on its core Spitfire brand as well as on redesigns of Whitstable Bay and Master Brew.

Spitfire Premium Kentish Ale was first brewed 25 years ago to honour the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. As 2015 marks 75 years since the historic air campaign, brewer Shepherd Neame decided to commemorate the occasion by launching Spitfire Gold, which will be a permanent addition to the range.

Spitfire Gold (4.1%) is a well balanced, light golden ale. It has a taste profile and branding to appeal to a wider audience and is on trend as a sweeter, less bitter beer. Its sweet malt base is built upon with delicate floral and pine aromas imparted by some of the most popular hops of the moment, including Centennial and Saaz. The brand launches in cask nationwide this month with further beer styles and additional packaging options to follow in the future.

JDO’s approach was to celebrate the occasion and fresh, new taste profile of Spitfire Gold with a change to the iconic red, white and blue of the existing design whilst retaining the familiarity of the Spitfire identity for consumers. This was achieved by a muted gold palette that reflects the bright malt base flavours, contrasted with burnished metal edges to represent the soft, sweet finish. Polished and satin gold finishes throw the silhouette of the Spitfire plane into sharp relief and the traditional detail has been stripped back to deliver a simplified, cleaner and contemporary brand look and feel.

Velda Croot, business development director at JDO said, “Spitfire is one of the UK’s most popular beers. The existing brand is in the top three premium bottled ales in the country and Spitfire Gold is an important celebration and new addition to the range. It is totally in tune with the modern beer drinker so we’ve been particularly excited to partner with Shepherd Neame on this project.”

William Upfield, Spitfire brand manager at Shepherd Neame said, “We feel that Spitfire Gold is a fitting way to honour those heroes who fought bravely in the Battle of Britain and celebrate the Spitfire plane itself, a Great British icon. Stand-out on bar is assured thanks to JDO’s contemporary, polished gold pump clip featuring the distinctive Spitfire profile in relief.”