PROJECT
Emelisse Brewery
Rebrand
ROLE
Art Direction
Branding
Graphic Design
Illustration
DATE
2023
Emelisse Brewery’s rebrand captures the dynamic balance between chaos and craft, using layered, swarm-like textures and bold design contrasts to reflect the intricate flavours and collaborative energy behind its barrel-aged honey and rum stout.
Founded in the late 1990s, Emelisse has grown from a local initiative in Noord-Beveland into one of the most respected Dutch craft breweries. Now operating from a state-of-the-art facility in Goes with a 4,000-liter capacity per batch, the brand is defined by innovation, sustainability, and bold brewing.
The rebrand focused on updating the logotype and creating a new label design for their 330ml barrel-aged honey and rum stout. The visual language draws from the complexity of swarm intelligence in honeybees — a metaphor for collaboration, efficiency, and the rich layers of flavor in the stout.
The logomark celebrates Dutch design heritage, referencing Wim Crouwel’s 'Fernhout' typeface while introducing a grain motif in the finial of the ‘e’, uniting tradition and innovation. Applied across apparel, packaging, and merchandise, the bold, modern identity system elevates the brand and creates strong recognition.
The stout’s can design uses intricate, swarm-like illustrations paired with raw, expressive typography, mirroring the intensity of flavor and the natural intelligence that inspired it. Together, the logotype and label system position Emelisse as a forward-thinking brewery rooted in craft, community, and sustainability.
