After a few years of waffling, and even a few failed attempts, I’ve started focusing on a new hobby – more of a deliberate distraction, really – homebrewing.

I could no longer ignore the craft beer culture. For years I have appreciated thoughtfully created and artisanal beer and wine simply as a matter of taste, although the recent trend towards buying and sourcing more locally has led me to look closely at craft beer in that way.

So, I started brewing. With the help of some knowledgeable friends and the support and tolerance of my wife, I have successfully gotten over the initial intimidation and have now brewed four distinctly different styles. I’ve even entered my latest – an oatmeal stout – into a local homebrewing competition in order to get some basic feedback and to help inform some improvements to my process.

So, considering that I haven’t had to dump any of it down the drain yet, I would say this qualifies as an official hobby, and as any designer would probably agree – that means it needs to be branded. It was inevitable that the design side of my brain would take over and this whole effort would undoubtedly need to be styled, color coded and organized into a system. Thus giving rise to another personal project – 234 Craftbatch Hand-Crafted Ales.

Of course, this is merely for the purposes of satisfying my own creative appetite, but nothing is more fulfilling that pouring a glass of something you crafted with your own hands that tends to be better than most you’ll find in the stores. On top of that, add a label created by you, and you’ve got one seriously tasty experience.

Comments welcomed.