Illustration for Awildan Pub Ale

For the collaborative Spring beer release from Awildan Distilling and Karben4 Brewing, I did a Celtic/Irish variation of the Awildan Distilling animal crest. It’s opportunities like this that allow me to research and draw different images than what I usually would do. It’s been so enjoyable to look at historical Celtic art and see how I can translate it.

For the Awildan Pub Ale, I drew the circular knotted crest, as well as the corner knot ornaments and little beast heads. Label design by Aislinn Bartholomay. This was a limited release to pair with Awildan’s Poitin, an Irish-style Single Pot Still Whiskey.

Awildan Distilling

I am excited to finally be able to share a project that has been years in the making. In 2018, I was approached by Jeff Olson, head brewer of Karben4 Brewing, to help produce the branding for a new distillery that he wanted to create, Awildan (ah-WILL-den). Jeff had a few rough sketches and a vision for the themes and look he wanted. What followed was an enjoyable back and forth of ideas between the two of us, refining and elaborating the look of the distillery.

Once the emblem logo design was solidified, I sculpted it out of wood and epoxy resin. I then made a silicone mold of the sculpture, and produced a wax version for the bronze foundry. The bronze was poured at Art Casting of Illinois, with cleaning, refinement, and liver of sulfur patina by me. In late 2019, the final sculpture was photographed by Bill Lemke.

During this time Jeff and I were also working to create the typography logo for Awildan. While we referenced many styles of historical type, we wanted the distillery’s logo to be a unique font. My final hand drawn type incorporates a Celtic knot and hammer of Thor into the design.

In the summer of 2020, I produced a silver version of the emblem by making a resin copy and carefully silver leafing all the sculptural elements. The silver version was also photographed by Bill Lemke.

Due to the pandemic, the distillery experienced delays but eventually started production in December 2021. The first release is a genever, a distilled single malt spirit with juniper and other natural flavors. At the same time Jeff and Karben4 Brewing released a collaborative limited edition Wyrtian Ale, a beer brewed with Angelica root, juniper and coriander. For the Awildan bottle, my sculpture was made into a vector image for the embossed silver foil label. The bottle really looks beautiful in person, and label designer Aislinn Bartholomay did a fantastic job.

I’ve always wanted to be involved in a project like this, and I cannot understate how fun it is to see my illustration and typography not only on bottles, but on merchandise, ranging from glassware to clothing. The releases by Karben4 are an unexpected bonus, as they are one of my favorite Wisconsin breweries. The spirits I’ve tasted so far have been extraordinary, and I can’t wait to see how the distillery grows with the ideas and creative palate of Jeff Olson.

We have future plans for me to give the individual spirit bottles unique illustrations. Jeff and I have already been talking ideas about what is to come. Cheers, everyone!

Awildan.com