KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
June 22, 2021
By Natalie Cook Clark
Katy’s No Label Brewery took home two “Crushies,” Craft Beer Marketing Awards (CBMAs) for their work in the community during the COVID-19 Pandemic. They handed out thousands of masks to Katy residents and first responders during the height of the COVID-19 outbreak.
No Label gave out masks to local first responders. Photo credit: No Label Brewing Company.
No Label Recognized for Pandemic Efforts
No Label Brewing Company, Katy’s popular brewery and hangout, won two Craft Beer Marketing Awards (CBMAs.) They took home the "Crushie" for Merchandise Design for their COVID masks and Pandemic Charity Promotion for their drive thru.
Considered Among Global Breweries
“No Label has always been a part of the Katy Community, but we were tied together during the drive thru,” says Tom Paynter, Co-Owner and Marketing Director for No Label Brewing Company.
In their second year, the CBMAs accepted entries from all around the world. They had 33 categories that cover all aspects of brew marketing. A new category for this year’s competition was the “Pandemic Marketing,” which looks at original marketing undertaken during the COVID-19 outbreak.
“To be recognized is pretty incredible,” says Paynter. “We’re like the little engine that could. We’re listed among much larger breweries than us.”
Each CBMA category had over 300 judges.
“We were so impressed by the sheer creativity, innovation, and caliber of marketing displayed in entries from around the world in every category,” said CBMAs Co-Founder Jim McCune.
Serving the Katy Community
No Label masks, Photo credit: No Label Brewing Company
When the pandemic was at its worst, No Label jumped into action.
“We started making masks right away and became more of a mask making business than a brewery,” explains Paynter.
No Label never wanted to sell their masks. Instead they gave them away free to first responders and free with an order through their drive thru service. In total they gave out around 8,000 masks and gaiters.
At one point, Katy residents could get masks or gaiters at No Label, hand sanitizer from MKT Distillery, and visit Katy Christian Ministries in all one easy trip to Old Katy.
“These awards justify what we did,” says Paynter. “We made the most of the pandemic.”
No Label held many “Do-Over” events since they weren’t able to celebrate when actual events took place such as Cinco-de-Mayo became a “Cinco-Do-Over” event. They did their best to have fun with the pandemic and even put a mask of their Easter Bunny.
About the CMBAs
The Craft Beer Marketing Awards was established in 2019 to give recognition to the best of the best in the marketing realm of the brewing industry.
The “Crushie” is designed by the same Manhattan-based awards firm that created the Emmy Award and MTV “Moonman” Trophy.
“We may make beer, but we’re very much in the community business,” says Paynter.
No Label is known for their community and family-friendly events. Event when an actual event isn’t happening, they are a place where local families hangout. Their playground is popular with Katy kids and everyone can enjoy live music on most nights.
No Label Brewing Company is located at 5351 1st Street in Old Katy. They are open 3:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. on weekdays and noon to 10:00 p.m. on Saturdays and noon to 8:00 p.m. on Sundays.
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