When you rescue a beer recipe from the brink of extinction, not just any label design for the bottle will do. Brewed in honor of Blue Mountain Brewery’s 10th anniversary last year, this rare German beer sports a label and neck band crafted by Watermark Design that oozes Middle Ages allure thanks to a firm commitment to Lord of the Rings-esque aesthetics and an interesting finishing choice.
Drawn in pencil and watercolored by hand, the floral illustrations were then digitally printed CMYK by PowerUp Printing onto 70 lb. White Fasson felt textured wet-strength paper – the floral pattern continues on the neck label for an impressive, holistic look. Subtle highlights of foil were then strategically applied to complement the art, teasing out key details for dramatic effect.
While much of the foil work we see these days is hot stamped, Watermark Design went the cold foil route to achieve an imperfect, “brushed-on” appearance more consistent with the medieval look they were going for. For a finishing touch, University of Virginia Professor Peter Barker helped develop the copy on the back of the label which emulates Old English grammatical construction. (Blue Mountain Brewery is based in Charlottesville, which is also home to the university.)
The eye-catching combination of ornate lettering and precise illustration against a parchment-like background never fails to fascinate – particularly when you discover it peeking out at you from a beer bottle!
PRO members, don’t forget to check out your:
