Fell Brewery
Location - Cumbria, UK
Year - 2023
Design Credits - In-house
Photo Credits - Fell Brewery / Ian Wood Photography
Explore - Fell Brewery
Falling for Fell’s inspiring new look
To coincide with their 10th anniversary, Cumbria’s Fell Brewery have recently renewed their brand and packaging, with impressive results. All produced in-house by Watson Bell, their Head of Sales and Nicola Pickup their Marketing Manager.
Taking inspiration and influence from their surroundings, as their blog puts it, “We wanted our new branding to reflect our established position in our local neighbourhood… Cumbria. The landscapes, environment and communities have shaped us deeply in ways we are only beginning to get to grips with. This rebrand is about embracing that and becoming of this place.”
And boy, have they achived that.
Whilst retaining the signature contour patterns familiar to those who have supped Fell before, they have moved things forwards into the next decade with a new brand mark, strapline, distinctive and individual beer descriptor graphics and new typography. It all comes together as a real celebration of their environment and ethos.
The graphic mark within the logo is a particular standout for me. It simultaneously hints at map contours, wood grain and a fingerprint - all elements evocative of the brewery’s location and independent spirit - without being clichéd. When married up with the new typography (Plathorn, if I’m not mistaken) you’ve got a really versatile and adaptabe mark, which shows through particularly well in their merchandise with the use of the oversized graphic on the reverse of tshrts and the type only emblazoned headwear.
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One thing I think this refreshed look manages is striking that balance of appeal for both the modern craft and traditional pub markets - no easy thing! To be able to sit comfortably amongst cask handle heavy Lake District pubs and the bar tops of more urban hangouts (they’ve their own bar in Manchester suburb Chortlon by way of example) is no minor achievement.
And I can’t finish up without acknowleding a good contribution this rebrand’s roll out is the beautiful photography by Ian from Wood & Co that really showcases the new look to great effect, and also serves to highlight what an enviable location Fell has in England’s landscape.
Thanks to Fell Brewery and Ian Wood for the images featured in this blog.
