Beer Flood Porter: A Label Design Inspired by History

Unveiling the Ironic and Captivating Label Design by Evgeny Dyakonov

In 1814, a devastating accident occurred at Meux's brewery in London, known as the Horse Shoe Brewery. A massive vat containing over a million liters of porter, a popular beverage at the time, burst, causing a flood of beer to pour into the streets. Eight lives were lost, and several houses were severely damaged. To commemorate the bicentennial anniversary of this event, brewers decided to recreate the historic porter, and Evgeny Dyakonov was tasked with designing a label that captured the essence of the tragedy.

The label for Beer Flood Porter, designed by Evgeny Dyakonov in collaboration with Cuba Creative Branding Studio, is a testament to the power of storytelling through design. The label features an ironic depiction of the events that unfolded during the beer accident in London. By incorporating elements from historical sources, such as a newspaper article from The London Chronicle and images of beer vat fragments, black malt, and hops, the label tells the story of the tragic event in a light-hearted and captivating manner.

The design team faced the challenge of striking the right balance between irony and appeal. The goal was to create a design that would evoke positive emotions in consumers and entice them to taste the historic porter. Through extensive surveys and feedback, it was determined that the label successfully captured the essence of the historical events while maintaining a sense of irony and curiosity.

The label for Beer Flood Porter is printed on high-quality paper using offset printing technology. It measures 220 x 110 mm, making it visually striking and easily recognizable on store shelves. The label's unique design and historical significance make it a standout in the craft beer market.

The project, from initial research to final label design and market launch, took a total of 60 working days. Throughout this process, the design team meticulously studied ancient recipes and historical sources to ensure the label accurately represented the nature of the historic beverage.

Beer Flood Porter, with its captivating label design, has garnered recognition in the design community. It was awarded the Iron A' Design Award in the Packaging Design category in 2015. This prestigious award recognizes designs that are well-crafted, practical, and innovative, meeting professional and industrial requirements. The label's integration of industry best practices and competent technical characteristics contribute to a better world and evoke positive feelings in consumers.

Beer Flood Porter's label design by Evgeny Dyakonov is a testament to the power of storytelling and the ability of design to capture the essence of historical events. It serves as a reminder of the tragic London Beer Flood while enticing consumers to experience the unique flavor of this historic porter.