Blackjack Brew Co.

Crafting a beer identity under the watch of the angels of the meadow

A firm favourite amongst the traditional scene in Manchester, Blackjack needed a brand that aligned with their strengths, sitting perfectly between the traditional world of CAMRA pubs, with floral pump clips and metal tankards, and the increasingly saturated world of progressive craft beer. The meeting points of this tradition and modernity is something we wanted to celebrate within the BJBC visual aesthetic.

A hand picking up a can of beer from a cardboard box of multiple cans inside. The cardboard box is labeled 'Blackjack Brew Co'.
Animated ident revealing the 'Blackjack Brewery Co.' logo in white bold text over black background.
Minimalist black and white illustration of a man's face with a moustache, beard, and a wide-brimmed hat. A logo for 'Blackjack Brewery Co.'
Black and white photo of a man with a beard holding a large bag of grains, with the text "QUIETLY HONING THE PERFECT PINT" overlaid.

With over 42 beers produced annually, the final design solution needed to be built on a bulletproof system, allowing for the quick production of at least two new beers per month.

To enable this, we created a clean, concise design system that could create diversity across the ranges, whilst allowing us to easily create new can designs that would stay within the range, but allow enough flexibility for each can to be distinct in its own right.

Two cans of craft beer against a silver beer keg, featuring bright labels with bold text and a stylised logo.
A person wearing a navy blue shirt with the logo "Blackjack Brew Co" printed on the back, working near large stainless steel brewing tanks in a brewery.
Stacked cardboard boxes labeled Blackjack Brew Co on a pallet above two metal beer kegs labeled Blackjack Beer.
Three cans of beer with light blue labels and orange text on a brewery filling machine.
A hand holding a glass of beer under a tap, with the label ”BLACKJACK BREW CO” visible on the glass. The beer has a foamy head and bubbles, and the tap is pouring beer into the glass.
A black and white close-up of a beer keg, with the words 'Brewed Under the Watch of the Angels of the Meadow' overlaid.
A person with tattoos on their arm and a smartwatch is stacking cardboard boxes labeled 'Blackack Brew Co' on a concrete floor. One hand is resting on the top box, the other is taping the box shut.
Close-up view of large stainless steel industrial tanks in a brewery with an animated overlay in the centre showing colourful label combination for 'Blackjack Brewery Co.'
Black background with white text reading "FINE ALES AND STRANGE TALES" arranged in a cross pattern.
Person holding a black tote bag with white text promoting 'Blackjack Brewery Co.' established in 2012, while holding a glass of beer at a social event.
A tall glass of beer with a logo, placed on a wooden table, casting a shadow from sunlight.
A green aluminum can of Dancing Saloon hazy pale ale, with orange and black text, tilted and resting on black and white cloth.
A black and white image of a beer keg with the label 'Blackjack Brewery Co.'
Black background with white letters in the centre reading 'BJBC' for 'Blackjack Brewery Co.'
Stacked cans of craft beer, including Hazy Meadow by 'Blackjack Brewery Co.' , with colourful and modern labels.
Close up of two arms pointing on posters laid over a desk, during a meeting.
Typography chart showing the alphabet in uppercase, numbers 0-9, and various punctuation and symbols in the Blackjack Meadows font style.
Close-up of a stone surface with engraved words. The surface appears textured and the engraving has depth.
The word 'BQCN' written in black all-capital letters on a muted green background.
Black and white image of a man holding a glass of beer with a logo, wearing a dark jacket.
Text on a white background reading 'N°36 IRK ST. MANCHESTER M4 4JT'.
Close-up of a person wearing a black T-shirt with a logo and text that reads 'Crew Jack Blackjack Co'.
Close-up view of a the top of a foamy beer glass.

We began the creative process by documenting, recreating and regenerating found type of Blackjack's home – Angel Meadows .

Decorative headstones of the Meadow's burial field, the Victorian stonework of The Ragged School, street signs and hand-painted signage of their taproom were all drawn on as inspiration.

This gave life to a bespoke typeface – BlackJack Meadows, a condensed sans serif with all the quirks and nuance of the days of old, crafted to bring texture to the stories of the Jack and homage to the angels of the meadow.

Process

Close-up of a stone surface with engraved words. The surface appears textured and the engraving has depth.
Inspirational quote about brewing beers on a light grey background, with words emphasizing knowing origins, crafting with integrity, and deserving.
Close-up of a canned beer lying on a grainy surface with pink and orange label featuring a logo that reads 'Blackjack Brewery Co.'

Further Case Studies

Abstract colorful oil or ink patterns with the word 'COLONY' in the center.
Yellow background with black logo and text reading 'Apollo'.
Printed materials, including booklets and business cards, related to workforce reporting and professional presentation, with black, white, and purple design elements.
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