- Simonds Farsons Cisk launches lower ABV beer
- Cisk Session based on the sentiment ‘high on life, low on alcohol’
Brand design agency bluemarlin has just unveiled the brand strategy and packaging identity for Cisk Session, a new lower-alcohol addition to the Cisk portfolio that’s been created to meet the evolving expectations of today’s more mindful drinker.
Today’s launch builds on bluemarlin’s longstanding partnership with Maltese brewer Simonds Farsons Cisk, having already developed the wider portfolio architecture, including Cisk 0.0% and Cisk Excel.
With Cisk Session, the agency was tasked with creating a distinctive yet cohesive offering – one that leverages the strength of the Cisk masterbrand while carving out a clear role within the growing low- and no-alcohol category.
Responding to a cultural shift
Cisk Session is rooted in a fundamental shift in drinking culture. Consumers across all generations are actively reducing alcohol intake and choosing to drink more consciously and selectively (drinks data group IWSR).
This movement is redefining expectations. Today’s drinkers are not compromising – they’re seeking experiences that offer balance, flexibility and control, without sacrificing quality or enjoyment.
“Cisk Session isn’t about restriction,” said Charlie Spiers, bluemarlin Account Director. “It’s about unlocking a different kind of experience – one that allows people to stay present, extend social occasions and get more out of every moment.”
Positioned at 3% ABV, Cisk Session fills a critical gap between full-strength beers and alcohol-free alternatives, completing the portfolio while remaining unmistakably Cisk.
The power of ‘sessionability’
At the heart of the proposition is a simple but powerful idea – ‘sessionability’.
Defined as the ability to drink without excess, the concept frames moderation as a positive driver and enabling longer social moments.
Rather than positioning the product as ‘less’, bluemarlin anchored the naming and messaging in ‘more’ – more time, more connection, more enjoyment. This thinking is brought to life in the brand’s creative territory, based on the sentiment ‘high on life, low on alcohol’.
Designing for a new mindset
The identity integrates seamlessly into the Cisk range. It retains core masterbrand assets, including the iconic Cisk yellow – evoking warmth, the unmistakable mediterranean sociability and the Maltese sun – alongside details such as the Maltese eight-pointed cross and subtle sunshine rays within the yellow band.
In contrast, the introduction of a vibrant blue creates a distinct visual cue for the lower-alcohol proposition. Within the category, blue is widely understood to signal lightness and reduced alcohol. Here, it is used deliberately to communicate moderation, without implying compromise.
The tone of blue is more saturated than typical alcohol-free cues, reflecting the product’s lower ABV and giving the design greater depth and energy. The interplay between Cisk’s signature yellow and this contemporary blue expresses the core idea of the product – a beer that delivers the full experience, just with a lighter touch.
Karl Bondin, Simonds Farsons Cisk Head of Marketing, said: “This is exactly what today’s drinker is looking for – something that lets you enjoy more of the moment. bluemarlin has brought that idea to life in a way that feels both fresh and true to Cisk.”
Source: bluemarlin
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