Branding and Package Design for a Brewery
Robby Davis
Against the Grain Brewery
A decade of decadence and double IPAs
My Role: Brand Identity, Packaging Design, Creative Direction, Illustration
Overview: 2011 – 2021, Craft Beer Industry
For ten years, I had the privilege of working closely with Against the Grain Brewery to establish, maintain, and grow their brand in an increasingly competitive market. From the very beginning, the focus was on capturing their rebellious spirit, irreverent humor, and unwavering commitment to quality. What started as a small brewpub in Kentucky has since grown into a global brand.
While there’s far too much work to showcase in one place, the images below offer a glimpse into the eclectic and unique brand we brought to life. This journey has been one of the most creatively fulfilling and enjoyable experiences of my career, and I'm proud to have played a part in it.
The impact Robby has made on Against the Grain Brewery is unparalleled. From startup to maturity, Robby has been a beacon and advocate for our brand. He has helped craft timeless and thoughtful designs that evolve alongside our brewery. His insight and proactive nature shine in every project we have collaborated on. I would recommend Robby's design work to anyone looking to make a splash with staying power for their branding needs.
Sam Cruz – Co-Founder, Against the Grain Brewery
Brand foundation
Primary logos
Badges
Secondary flash elements
Hand drawn typeface
Character design
Each character embodies one of six core beer styles, serving as the foundation for all of the beer recipes. These characters are integral to the brand's identity, appearing prominently across packaging, point of purchase displays, the website, and more.
Character design for "Dark" and "Hops" beer categories.
Character design for "Session" and "Smoke" beer categories.
Character design for "Malt" and "Whim" beer categories.
Packaging
Over the years, we transitioned from bottles to primarily cans, solidifying a core lineup of best-sellers while also exploring a range of experimental brews and exciting collaborations. These are some of my personal favorites. Each one stands out in its own way, yet the entire body of work is unified by the consistent presence of our six brand characters.
A Beer, Pile of Face, Rico Sauvin, Loo-a-vuhl Pale, Bo & Luke
The Brown Note, Citra Ass Down, 35K, 70K, Clearly Everybody Wants Some
Jorge Castana, A Beer (O.G), Bloody Show, Bragnarok, Coq de la Marche
Clearly Everybody Wants Some (O.G.), Gegen den Strom series
Flesh Gourd'n, Kamen Knuddeln, London Balling, Overcompensation (collab with Upland Brewery)
Retitled Pils, Sho' Nuff, S.S. Kentucky, Too Dumb to be Evil, Watermelon, Chiquen and Gritz (collab with Nappy Roots)
Robby was a pleasure to work with for nearly a decade. His deep understanding of the brand's essence allowed him to consistently deliver designs that were both visually stunning and strategically sound. He consistently brought fresh and unique perspectives to projects, helping to refine and strengthen the brand identity. Robby's collaborative approach and dedication to excellence made him an invaluable asset to our team and ultimately, the brand.
Jessy Harding – Asst. Director of Operations, Against the Grain Brewery
In the wild
These images act as a visual diary, capturing the journey of bringing the brand to life across various platforms. From towering 8-foot puppets to collaborations with hip-hop artists, our goal wasn't just to build a brand but to nurture a vibrant craft beer culture grounded in eccentricity.
4-packs in the retail cooler.
The Brown Note 4-pack.
Tarred and feathered "Attila the Hen" bottle packaging.
A Beer on the canning line.
Patriotic photoshoot for A Beer.
Bo & Luke food pairings.
Pallet of Zerbster Bitterbier cans.
Citra Ass Down March Madness promo.
Pile of Face flat cases.
Keg packaging.
Kentucky Hi-Five promo.
Backlit A Beer signage.
Outdoor brewery signage.
Babyschlager and Zerbster Bitterbier packaging.
Write-up in Beer and Brewing magazine.
Sexy Saxon artwork and packaging.
Collab with Nappy Roots.
Nappy Roots collab launch event.
Squallis Puppeteers creating the ATG characters.
All six larger than life ATG character puppets.
Bo & Luke release event graphics.
Bo & Luke artwork.
Bo & Luke release event promo.
Artwork for the "Retired Beers" listed on the website.
Website hero artwork featuring Smoke and Dark.
Website hero artwork featuring Whim and Malt.
Website hero artwork featuring Session and Hops.
Spot illustrations for the website.
Conclusion
Working with the team at Against the Grain over the years was an incredibly valuable experience, offering countless opportunities for growth as a designer and illustrator. It pushed me to embrace the weird, to find the line you're not supposed to cross—and then boldly push a toe beyond it.
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Posted Aug 21, 2025
For 10 years, I helped shape Against the Grain’s rebellious brand with irreverent art, bold packaging, and a consistent visual identity.
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Timeline
Jul 31, 2011 - Jul 30, 2021
