Touring ale country Itis not a bad way to spend a day, with a designated driver, of course ALES from C1

Northeast Ohio Media Group's Marc Bona, right, interviews Pat Conway, co-founder of Great Lakes Brewing Co., for a multimedia package on holiday ales last month. The package was a joint effort between Bona and Rick Armon, beer writer of the Akron Beacon Journal. The Great Lakes logo can be seen in the mirror, the six-pack holder and glasses.

( John Kuntz, The Plain Dealer)

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Great Lakes Brewing Co. has announced it will change its logo and packaging in 2015, believed to be the first major update the logo has seen since the brewery was founded in 1988. The monthly beer-release calendar also has been scheduled.

While its labels have been updated or altered over the years, this is the first time the brewery's iconic logo will undergo a face lift. But the folks at Great Lakes are being a bit coy with details: The artist's name will be released in January, and the logo will be unveiled in May.

The logo will be "refreshed," and packaging artwork will feature "unique rejuvenated illustrations" that "explore the history and quality craftsmanship essential to the GLBC brand," a news release from the brewery stated.

The current logo includes three wavy water lines that represent a financial bottom line, social engagement in the community and ecology. The lines are sandwiched below "Great Lakes Brewing Co." and "Cleveland, Ohio."

"GREAT LAKES" is in the serifed typeface Times New Roman, and "BREWING CO.," is in Helvetica, a sans-serifed face. Both are common fonts.

Companies obviously put thought into the creation of logos and slogans for obvious branding purposes, seeking to make an indelible impression on consumers. One of the best stories regarding a brewery and its logo is that of Brooklyn Brewery.

More than 25 years ago, the founders of the New York brewery asked Milton Glaser – who created the iconic 'I (heart) NY' logo – to create artwork to represent the brewery. They knew they would be hard-pressed to afford him. As the story goes, Glaser accepted for no salary, just a piece of the nascent company – and free beer for life.

Speaking of beer, here is Great Lakes' 2015 schedule of releases:

January: Conway's Irish Ale.

March: Chillwave Double IPA.

April: Rye of the Tiger IPA.

April: A new Spring Variety Pack with three each of the following styles: Session IPA, Kolsch, Belgian Single, Belgian Wit. Names have not been released. Portions of the sales of this pack will benefit the brewery's Green Tour program partners.

May: Alberta Clipper Porter (new seasonal).

June: American Wheat (new seasonal, name coming soon).

July: Lake Erie Monster Imperial IPA.

August: Oktoberfest.

September: Nosferatu Imperial Red Ale.

November: Christmas Ale, Blackout Stout.