Slackers Brewing Co.: Branding a Comfortably Adventurous Brewery
CLIENT
Slackers Brewing Co.
DATE
2018-2022
INDUSTRY
Craft Beer / Food & Bev / Hospitality
SCOPE
Logo, label design, print collateral, brand guidelines and launch website.
Project Overview
Slackers Brewing Co. was evolving from a beloved home-brew operation into a full-scale brewery and taproom in North Austin. Owner Derek had the vision: create an approachable, community-centric brand focused on malty, flavorful beers—not the bitter-hop-forward trend dominating the craft scene. My job was to translate that vibe into a full visual identity that could grow with the business.
The guiding phrase we aligned on? Comfortably adventurous.
Objectives
Design a casual but professional brand identity reflective of Slackers’ ethos
Develop a scalable label system for evolving beer offerings
Support launch marketing through web, merch, and print collateral
Provide consulting on signage, space branding, and merchandising
Slackers Brewing logo suite.
My Role & Deliverables
I led all creative execution from scratch to launch, including:
Logo Suite: Primary, alternate, and monogram logos with a hand-drawn-but-clean aesthetic
Visual Identity: Bright, punchy color palette, bold type pairings, and recurring graphic motifs (like the signature beer ring)
Label System: A semi-templated design allowing custom names, colors, and illustrations for each beer while maintaining consistency
Collateral: Business cards, coasters, keg collars, stickers, T-shirts, and a custom beer-themed tattoo for the founder
Launch Website: Designed and built a custom WordPress site using the Divi theme with light custom coding
Consultation: Mockups and vendor-ready files for signage and merchandise, and brand-aligned recommendations for taproom interior colors
Guidelines: Delivered a robust brand guide to help Slackers maintain visual consistency across platforms and print
Design Approach
The Slackers brand strikes a balance between relaxed and refined—perfect for a brewery that prides itself on craft and community. The labels, built with consistency and future SKUs in mind, gave each beer room to have its own personality. Colorful, clean, and full of personality, the brand can stretch from merch to packaging without losing cohesion.
Slackers launch website.
Tools & Workflow
Design: Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign
Web Build: WordPress (Divi theme + custom CSS)
Collaboration: Mix of remote and local consults with direct feedback from founder
Slackers Brewing business cards.
Outcome & Impact
Slackers launched a successful crowdfunding campaign, raising 122% of their goal
The brand carried through from print to product to physical space with consistency and style
Derek and his team continue to use the brand system across signage, merchandise, packaging, and events
Slackers opened its doors in 2021 and has become a fixture in the North Austin community
Branded stickers
Branded coasters
Why This Project Matters
This case showcases my ability to build a visual identity from scratch, deliver brand systems across physical and digital spaces, and support client success through thoughtful consultation. It reflects my strengths in brand storytelling, packaging design, and designing for real-world use.
Slackers Brewing sign and pint glass
Testimonial
“Amanda did such an epic job on all of this, exceeding my expectations. There’s something amazing about having your brand professionally done. Give her a shout if you are interested in increasing your brand’s appeal and professionalism. She has taken Slackers to a whole new level and helped me understand my brand and business better than ever.”
