Carling refreshes lager can and multipack branding for first time in thirty years
Carling is rolling out its biggest brand refresh in thirty years, aiming for a modern, consistent and eye-catching look
Carling is rolling out its biggest brand refresh in thirty years, aiming for a modern, consistent and eye-catching look across its lager cans and multipacks.
The new design combines Carling’s brewing heritage with a striking, modern aesthetic – a move intended to encourage pride among loyal consumers while attracting new shoppers. At the same time, it aims to help retailers capitalize on improved standout and drive volume growth.
Carling’s refreshed logo features illustrations inspired by the Carling Brewery, the British barley used to brew the beer, and Burton upon Trent, the historic brewing town where Molson Coors’ UK business is based.
This new badge already appears on Carling Black Label, a new lager that made its debut in stores in March 2026. Now the design will be extended across Carling’s wider range in the coming months.
Consumer testing suggests that the new branding resonates strongly with both existing Carling drinkers and unfamiliar consumers. Those less familiar with the brand have rated its new presentation as relevant and highly distinctive on shelves.
The refreshed identity is also set to be supported by further marketing investment and a new above-the-line campaign platform planned for the year ahead, allowing retailers to tap into major football occasions in line with Carling’s status as the Official Beer Partner of the Emirates FA Cup.
“Core lager has an important role to play in the off-trade,” said Ryan McLaughlin, brand director for Carling at Molson Coors Beverage Company. “Familiarity matters at the beer fixture, which is why we’ve retained the elements of Carling that people know and recognise, including cues that reflect our brewing heritage, while giving the brand a bolder, more confident look. It's a design that reflects what Carling has always stood for: bringing people together and being at the heart of shared occasions.
“Carling’s scale means it has a significant role to play in the lager category. Following the launch of Carling Black Label earlier this year, this refresh is another step in strengthening the wider Carling range and helping a new generation of shoppers see the brand as one for them, ensuring it remains one of the country’s most relevant and loved beer brands for years to come.
“For retailers, that means a well-known lager with greater visibility on shelf, backed by continued investment around key social occasions that drive footfall.”
In other branding news, Simple has unveiled a global refresh for its Active Skin Barrier skincare range. Created in collaboration with Lonsdale, it aims to signal advanced performance compared to the ‘friendly’ and ‘approachable’ look of Simple’s core range.
Elsewhere, Heineken and Heinz celebrated the World Cup 2026 with a six-pack containing five beer bottles and one ketchup bottle. It was met with mixed reactions; some argued that the campaign combined two products that had appeared at the same parties ‘for generations’, while others questioned the format’s necessity and practicality.
Smurfit Westrock, AB InBev and JKR have also designed a fibre-based packaging concept that carries one bottle of alcohol-free Corona Cero beer for each day of the week. It is intended as a ‘distinctive’ format that protects products throughout the supply chain while supporting sustainability ambitions.
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