Blumstein Brewing Co.
Faspa Farmhouse Ale

Blumstein Brewing Co. is a craft brewery in rural Manitoba, located on a former dairy farm in the village once known as Blumstein. Rooted in Mennonite culture and prairie farm life, the brand has fun with Mennonite heritage, foods, and language while brewing with local ingredients, fostering community, and celebrating local craft brewing. Faspa Farmhouse Ale was a new addition to their five established core brews. The task was to design a new can that fit the existing brand palette and style, but felt fresh and unique in its own right.

Each beer either relates to a component of Mennonite life, food, or culture, and the description and food pairings often poke fun at Mennonite culture or educate the consumer. Faspa is a quintessential Mennonite term for a light Sunday lunch or snack of buns, cheese, jam, pickles, and cold cuts. This farmhouse ale is brewed to pair with faspa.

Existing beer can designs for Blumstein use a flat graphic style and bold colour palette inspired by vintage milk bottle and crate designs, along with organic, hand-drawn illustrations and patterns. For consistency on the shelf and easy brand recognition, the designer used a layout similar to the core brew cans. Because Mennonite heritage is a strong storytelling element of the brand, and bold, flat colour is used throughout, a Mennonite-inspired quilt pattern was a fun solution to explore. It proved to be a bold, playful detail that draws the eye in a sea of busy can designs.

A quippy beer description and whimsical details, like a cow grazing on the barcode and a faspa-inspired icon, encourages customers to take their time and explore a lighthearted take on Mennonite culture.

Mennonite beer never tasted so good!

Printing by Hartprint

PACKAGING DESIGN