ABOUT

Kirkstall Brewery was formed in 2010 by a passionate advocate of craft beer. The opening of the brewery coincided with a period of deep economic recession, increasing beer tax and a record number of pub closures. In addition, there has been a boom in microbreweries and Kirkstall’s core regional market (Yorkshire) has more microbreweries than any other region.

Following the rebrand, we were tasked with helping the brewery accelerate its craft range with new craft can packaging that would appeal to a greater beer drinking audience - 3 Swords Can.

The design takes its inspiration from the style of manuscripts that would have been produced by the Cistercian monks who inhabited the Kirkstall Abbey, near where the brewery is located. The '3 swords' concept, was brought in as it coincided with emblem on the Kikstall Abby, originally brewed by the monks.

The key objectives of the design were to deliver provenance and build on the brewing heritage of the Kirkstall area, that was developed over the centuries. The can is designed to deliver added value both at point of purchase and on branded merchandise. Also, budgets are limited and an important factor in the design was the ability to implement the brand cost effectively and enable range extensions to be economically applied.

The new packaged crafted beer has been a market success with the new look appealing to wider audiences. Further craft can ventures are plan to be laid out given this success of 3 Swords.