The Great Northern beer logo features a prominent image of a bird in flight. This distinctive logo has become an iconic symbol of the Great Northern brewery and brand. But when looking closely at the logo, some beer drinkers have wondered exactly what type of bird is depicted and where it is flying over. In this article, we will examine the history and meaning behind the Great Northern beer logo bird.
What is the Great Northern brewery?
Great Northern Brewing Company is a craft brewery located in Whitefish, Montana. The brewery was founded in 1993 by husband and wife team Michael and Deb Hoyne. Great Northern’s flagship beers include their Original Lager, Winter Lager, and Slow Elk Oatmeal Stout. The brewery aims to capture the spirit and adventure of the northern Rockies in its branding and brews.
The iconic Great Northern logo features a side profile of a bird with wings outstretched in flight. The style is reminiscent of Pacific Northwest Native American art. Below the bird is the brewery name in a simple serif font. The logo is featured prominently on all of Great Northern’s beers and merchandise.
When was the Great Northern logo created?
The Great Northern Brewing Company logo was created in 1995, two years after the brewery was founded. According to brewery co-founder Michael Hoyne, the logo was designed by a San Francisco artist that their packaging company recommended. Hoyne provided the artist with inspiration from Northern Native American art that featured bird motifs. The logo that emerged from this collaboration has remained largely unchanged for over 25 years as Great Northern’s signature brand image.
What kind of bird is represented in the logo?
The specific species of bird depicted in the Great Northern logo has been the source of some curiosity and debate over the years. The stylized illustration makes it challenging to conclusively identify the bird species. However, there are some clues that point towards the bird likely being an Osprey.
Osprey features
Several key features of the logo bird match identifiable characteristics of an Osprey:
- Cropped wing shape – Ospreys have long, narrow, angled wings. The logo shows a side profile with the distinctive cropped wing shape of an osprey in flight.
- Facial markings – The logo bird has a white patch behind its eye, similar to the plumage pattern on an Osprey’s face.
- Talons – Ospreys have famously large, sharp talons to grip fish. The logo bird is depicted with large grasping talons.
Beyond the physical features, the Osprey is a bird native to Montana and the greater Northwestern region where Great Northern brewery is located. Choosing an Osprey as a symbol connects deeply with the brewery’s brand identity and Montana heritage.
Other birds considered
Some other birds have been proposed as the possible species depicted in the logo, though they are less likely matches. Suggested birds include:
- Eagle – While eagles are iconic for the region, the logo lacks identifying Eagle features like a curved beak.
- Hawk – The logo bird’s wings are too long and narrow compared to typical broad hawk wings.
- Loon – Loons have thick necks and dagger-shaped bills unlike the logo bird.
An Osprey is the closest match for the Great Northern logo bird based on physical resemblance and symbolic connection. But the hand-drawn style leaves room for interpretation.
Where is the bird flying over?
The Great Northern logo depicts the Osprey (or possibly another bird of prey) flying over an implied landscape. But the minimalist background makes it challenging to pinpoint exactly what the bird is soaring over.
Flying over mountains
One of the most common theories is that the logo shows the bird flying over a mountain range. This matches the brewery’s Montana location which is nestled near the Rocky Mountains and Glacier National Park. Having a bird flying over mountains is symbolic of the high adventure and wilderness associated with Great Northern’s brand image.
Flying over water
Another potential habitat the logo bird could be flying over is water. Ospreys and similar raptors are fishers, often diving down to catch prey in rivers, lakes, or oceans. Since the brewery is named Great Northern and uses adventure themes in branding, depicting a bird of prey hunting over water also fits the overall aesthetic.
Left purposefully vague
There is also the possibility that the background was intentionally left nondescript by the logo designer. Leaving the landscape visually vague allows the audience to fill in their own imagined backdrop. This makes the logo more inclusive as viewers can picture their own idealized scenery under the soaring bird.
Meaning and significance of the logo
The Great Northern Brewing Company logo of a solitary bird in flight over an implied landscape is a thoughtful representation of the brewery’s identity and values.
Sense of place
The logo links strongly to Great Northern’s home in the northern Rockies region. Choosing to depict a bird native to the area is meaningful in connecting to the local natural habitat.
Adventure and freedom
A bird soaring through open skies symbolizes the ideas of adventure, freedom, and exploration. This aligns with the brewery’s ethos of embracing the call of the wilderness.
Independence
A single bird on the move rather than a flock suggests ideas of independence and trailblazing. Great Northern values craft brewing innovation, small batch creativity, and going against the crowd.
Confidence
The simple, bold outlined style gives the logo bird a feeling of quiet confidence. This projects the brewery’s assurance in the quality and character of its products.
Ultimately, the unspecified bird depicted in a moment of imagined flight makes the Great Northern logo an ideal representation of the brewery’s independent spirit rooted in the northern wilds. This branding brilliantly encapsulates intangible ideals and emotions associated with the company through symbolic imagery open to imagination and connection.
Conclusion
The distinct bird at the heart of the Great Northern Brewing Company logo has sparked curiosity among beer aficionados for decades. Examining the logo artwork and brewery history offers clues that point to the bird likely being an Osprey native to the northern Rocky Mountain habitats. While the minimalist landscape remains a visual mystery, the logo powerfully evokes the brewery’s identity through symbolic associations with regional wilderness, adventure, and fierce independence. This clever branding has helped make the flying bird a beloved icon and instantly recognizable symbol of Great Northern brewing.
Year | Event |
---|---|
1993 | Great Northern Brewing Company founded in Whitefish, Montana |
1995 | Current Great Northern logo with bird designed |
2019 | Great Northern ships 100,000 barrels annually |