Sail and Anchor

For an artist whose love of beer includes both liquid and labels, being asked to illustrate for a new beer range was something akin to beervana.

It was project he was born to do, says Blair, whose name can sound uncannily like ‘Beer Slayer' when shouted across a crowded bar.

The brief from Ashley Lower and Gavin Greenhalf at Marque Brand Consultants was to illustrate four hero characters for Fremantle Brewery Sail and Anchor’s new craft beer range.

'When Ash and Gavin sent through the first brief, I couldn't stop smiling,’ he says. ‘Quirky character design attached to beer! Two things I really enjoy in one project.'

The characters needed to be based on nautical knots and their names, which are all related to animals. The knots themselves play a cameo role.

Recently released in Australia, the beers are already proving popular, aided by excellent packaging that extends from bottles, to 4-packs and onto cases.

But how do they taste? 'I've only tried the Monkey’s Fist, and it's a corker,' says Blair. 'But I am looking forward to purchasing the entire range. For my portfolio of course!'

Winner of the 2012 Perth Royal Beer Show, Silver, Packaging & Design