This year, I was thrilled to land a creative gig from the Orenburg Brewery "Craft" (Russia), where I was tasked with crafting illustrations for their beer labels. In cahoots with the plant's top brass, we hatched a concept that's like a whimsical collision between childhood fairy tales and the gritty world of grown-up crime flicks and TV series. We figured this kind of humor would tickle the taste buds of the brewery's discerning clientele—a unique flavor of wit tailored for those who not only get the joke but also harbor a love for the cinematic gems that inspired the tales behind these label artworks.
The Concept
Given that the predominant flavor in our beer concoction is honey, we decided the first label should somehow unravel the story of honey. Childhood tales of bees and bears immediately came to mind, and when it comes to honey enthusiasts, the undisputed icon is, of course, the bear. That's when the idea struck us: let's blend our beloved "Breaking Bad" with "Winnie the Pooh." Picture Winnie as a serious brewer of honey-infused beer, channeling the intensity of Walter White. And who better to be his trusty sidekick than Piglet, playing the role of Jesse Pinkman? Just look at how boldly he turns his head—almost saying, "Yeah, bEAtch." Clearly, this little piggy grew up on the mean streets, and life wasn't a walk in the Hundred Acre Wood.
It turned out cool! We continue the series of beer labels, this time exploring what happens when you combine the children's fairy tale of Little Red Riding Hood with characters from the French crime film 'Leon.' So, Jean Reno's character as the Grey Wolf and Natalie Portman as Little Red Riding Hood. Charming movie, definitely worth watching again.
The folks even pulled off a hilarious photoshoot with the first batch of beer—sunny vibes, good times guaranteed. Judging by the reviews, the brew turned out to be a taste sensation. Cheers to a sun-soaked success story! 🍻
