A farm-first approach, real-world textures, and playful illustrations bring an authentic, handcrafted charm to the Bath-based brewery’s new look.
Somer Valley Brewing isn’t your typical craft brewery. Nestled in the Somerset countryside, it’s part of Somer Valley Farms, an ambitious, sustainability-led venture that brings traditional farming methods to the forefront.
Here, beer isn’t just brewed; it’s grown. The brewery’s barley is cultivated on-site using regenerative techniques, malted just a few miles away in Warminster, and brewed with water drawn from the farm’s very own borehole.
With such a distinctive farm-to-pint approach, the brewery needed an identity that told its story with the same care and craft that goes into every batch of beer. Supple Studio and Studio Spilsbury came together to lead a refresh of the brand and packaging system that puts the farm at the heart of the brewery’s visual and verbal identity. Expect homegrown textures, characterful illustrations, and evocative beer names.
A new look rooted in the land
The original Somer Valley Brewing logo depicted a literal landscape, but Supple Studio saw an opportunity to create something more abstract and ownable. “We were asked to evolve their logo—simplifying it from a literal depiction of the Somer Valley to a more abstract approach that suggests the valley and the furrowed fields,” explains Jamie Ellul, creative director at Supple Studio. The result is a refined, organic mark that reflects the farm’s commitment to soil health and sustainable agriculture.
But the brand’s farm-first ethos goes beyond the logo. Becks Skinner, design director at Supple Studio, explains how the team used the farm itself as a creative playground: “We worked with Spilsbury to create a suite of textures by printing, rubbing and inking everything from hay bales to fence posts and industrial machinery.
“We even got farm owner Chris to drive his tractor over paper with inked-up wheels!” These real-world textures became the foundation of the visual identity, lending an unmistakable authenticity to the brand’s packaging and collateral.
The brand’s colour palette was also sourced from the landscape, drawing inspiration from the farm’s fields, hedgerows, and natural materials. This earthy, grounded approach ensures that every aspect of Somer Valley Brewing’s identity is tied back to its origins.
Farmyard characters and story-driven beer names
The playful illustrations that bring the brand to life come courtesy of renowned illustrator Simon Spilsbury. From cheeky farm animals to bustling countryside scenes, Spilsbury’s artwork injects humour and personality into the brand. “Simon’s illustrations bounce off the names of the beers, which are all inspired by the farm and everything that happens on it,” says Skinner.
This commitment to storytelling extends to the beer names themselves. Somer Valley Brewing’s core range features names like Snug, Rolling Hills, Bolt, and Hayes—each one a nod to the rural Somerset landscape and the slow, considered approach to brewing. “‘Snug,’ for example, is a malty cask ale, perfect for getting cosy in an old pub in winter, while ‘Rolling Hills’ is a laid-back, hoppy session Pale Ale,” Skinner explains.
The names not only reflect the countryside setting but also provide a rich, creative springboard for Spilsbury’s illustrations. Each label features a quirky, scene-stealing character that adds an element of surprise and delight.
Standing out in a competitive craft beer market
With craft beer shelves becoming increasingly crowded, the challenge was to create an identity that felt distinctive without resorting to the visual chaos seen in much of the category. The design team tested early concepts against competitors, lining up Somer Valley Brewing’s potential packaging alongside other craft beer cans.
“With many competitors embracing full-on maximalist designs, it was clear that a pared-back approach would cut through,” Skinner explains. Instead of overwhelming the viewer, the final identity balances quiet confidence with playful details: a cream background, thoughtfully placed textures and a single striking illustration per label. The result is a system that feels both premium and deeply personal.
A brand built to grow
Somer Valley Brewing is scaling up fast, with 20 new beers set to launch over the next 18 months. The brand system was designed to accommodate this expansion seamlessly, with flexible elements that allow for creativity while maintaining consistency.
“We created a simple system that combines a cream background, a texture across the bottom third of the can, and an illustration by Simon Spilsbury that ties it all together with the product name,” Skinner explains. This approach ensures that each new beer can slot into the range effortlessly without losing the handcrafted, farm-first feel that defines the brand.
From farm to pint glass
The new identity isn’t just limited to packaging. It extends across tap badges, beer runners, glassware, staff tees, and more—all reinforcing the same farm-grown, handcrafted philosophy. The team even took the storytelling to the beer glasses themselves, wrapping them in Spilsbury’s illustrations to bring the farm to life with every sip.
For Skinner and the team, one of the most rewarding moments came after launch: “We all went for a burger where they served Somer Valley Beer and looked up to see people all around us drinking from the glass. It never stops being fun seeing something you’ve designed being enjoyed by people out in the world.”
With its rich storytelling, handcrafted visuals, and deep connection to the land, the new Somer Valley Brewing identity is a standout example of branding done right – proof that, just like great beer, great design is best when it’s thoughtfully crafted, deeply rooted, and full of character.
