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InspirationGraphic Design

Manual crafts a refreshing brand identity for Fort Point, San Francisco's latest brewery

As San Francisco’s fastest growing craft brewery, Fort Point creates balanced, thoughtful beers that reference traditional styles, but are by no means bound to them. For its new brand identity, the company approached local design and branding studio Manual, who also provided illustration and packaging design.

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Fort Point Brewery beer boxes with geometric patterned packaging in black, cream and blue designed by Manual

Based in an historic Presidio building that was formerly used as an army motor pool, the brewery's iconic location – close to both the Golden Gate Bridge and the Fort Point National Historic Site – provided inspiration for a modular, illustrative look and feel. In packaging, a little illustration incorporates elements of San Francisco's famous landmarks and Bay Area culture to create a unique and authentic sense of place.

The result is a brand that locals can identify with and, as Fort Point grows and becomes available throughout America, can be regarded as the new San Francisco craft beer. If you love this work, check out Manual's website at www.manualcreative.com. It's a studio founded by Tom Crabtree, a Yorkshire man who began his career working for leading design studios in London before relocating to San Francisco to join Apple's design team. Today, he runs Manual alongside MD and partner, Patricia Callaway.

Fort Point Beer Co logo and wordmark in burnt orange and tan, featuring a geometric pattern and the company name in bold sans-serif typography
Four Fort Point beer cans with geometric art deco-inspired designs in black, light blue, dark blue and green colour schemes
Colourful Fort Point beer cans featuring geometric patterns and illustrations inspired by San Francisco landmarks, designed by Manual
Collection of Fort Point brewery boxes in various colours featuring illustrated architectural landmarks and bay area cultural elements designed by Manual
Fort Point beer packaging boxes with geometric line illustrations in green, black, blue and cream, displayed with a hand holding one box
Stacked Fort Point beer boxes with geometric illustrations and modular design featuring blue, green and black label accents on kraft cardboard packaging
Fort Point beer packaging featuring a green band with "PARK" and "REFRESHING HOPPY WHEAT BEER" text, accompanied by illustrated map elements and geometric patterns on kraft cardboard
Fort Point Beer Co business cards laid out showing founders' names and contact details with geometric line pattern borders in tan and orange
Fort Point Beer Co signage hanging inside the brewery with geometric pattern design and red lettering
Bearded man working on laptop at a table with coffee cups, positioned in front of a large pixelated mural featuring blue, brown, white and green tones in a geometric pattern
Rows of antique leather-bound books with ornate gilt spines arranged on shelves, transitioning from dark brown leather on the left to blue and cream on the right
Two dark amber Fort Point beer growlers with geometric gold labels showing the brewery name and Villager variety against a white background
Fort Point beer bottles featuring geometric golden illustrations and branding on natural wood packaging
Four Fort Point beer tap handles with geometric line art designs displayed above black tap faucets on a wooden shelf with glasses behind
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