Almanac Beer Co. Cans
Last year we had the opportunity to design a series of limited edition fresh beer bottles for San Francisco's Almanac Beer Co. Almanac's "Farm to Barrel" process takes advantage of local, seasonal ingredients and has landed them on the map as one of the fastest growing breweries on the west coast. We were thrilled to work with Almanac again on their first venture into canned beer. Each beer's isometric illustration focuses on part of the beer making process - from the orange groves and wheat fields of California, to the brewery, and the city of San Francisco itself. Almanac's Fresh Beer cans are now available in Whole Foods stores throughout California and coming soon to a state near you.
"I first partnered with Nathan and Dan on the design and branding of our 22oz Fresh Beer Limited product line back in 2015. The rollout was very successful and the response to the new branding was intense and immediate. We were onto something. For 2016, we had an exciting new canned six-pack lineup coming out, so I figured it was a great opportunity to expand on our prior success and further evolve the visual language we had developed.
I wanted the cans to be bold, inviting and contemporary—but I also wanted to honor the long legacy of iconic beer brands that came before us. I couldn't be happier with the results. Nathan and Dan crushed my expectations and based on the early response, I think we're going to have another rousing success in our hands."
Damian Fagan
Co-Founder / CEO
Almanac Beer Co.
Craft Pilsner
"Almanac’s Craft Pilsner is a crisp, dry-hopped lager that provides a West Coast twist on the traditional German style. Citra, Mosaic, Simcoe, and Mandarina Bavaria hops provide a melon and citrus nose backed by 100% Pilsner malt. This beer is crushable, always begging for another sip and pairs well with sushi, outdoor grilling and tames spicy Thai and Mexican dishes."
San Francisco IPA
"This West Coast IPA features an explosive aroma of citrus, tropical fruit and dankness from a blend of Citra, Mosaic, Simcoe, Hallertau Blanc and El Dorado hops. Intensely hoppy without overt bitterness, a light malt backbone balances this IPA, giving it a clean finish and making it a beer to be enjoyed again and again. Inspired by San Francisco but brewed to be enjoyed everywhere. Enjoy with super burritos, hangtown fry, and rich copping."
Saison Dolores
"This California spin on a saison highlights tropical and floral aromas. An expressive fermentation provides hints of pineapple and white pepper, while a dry-hop of Mosaic and Hallertau Blanc doubles down on tropical aromas of mango and passionfruit. Enjoy this aromatic farmhouse ale with earthy mushroom dishes, funky washed-rind cheeses and al pastor street tacos."
Mandarina
"Mandarina’s tart and citrusy profile makes it the perfect beer for warm, sunny days. The combination of crisp tartness, tangerines and the citrus aromas of Mandarina Bavaria and Citra hops puts this farmhouse ale’s fruity aroma over the top. Pair this summer sipper with a day at the beach, fresh seafood and citrus-infused desserts."
Behind The Scenes
What began as rough ideas and initial sketches (see below) eventually transformed into ink swatches, box mockups, press checks, and finally canning and boxing of the finished product. For more insight into the process, check out our appearance on the Adventures in Design podcast episode 395 (player below).