Yes we can

As gifts to your father-in-law go, beer is a classic option. But James Yeo went one further than most, putting his father-in-law Alan on a can of IPA that he designed himself.

“I was struggling to find an idea,” says James, creative manager at St Philip’s brewery Left Handed Giant.

But then inspiration struck thanks to the name of the beer, Compulsory Fun, made in a three-way collaboration between Left Handed Giant, Magic Rock and Deya.

So now for evermore, Alan (“not known for his love of parties”) has been immortalised on the can, a small party hat balanced on his bald head.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bcah0BIDPzC/

James joined Left Handed Giant soon after graduating from a degree in advertising, marketing and branding at Gloucestershire University, where his dissertation was on small pack design in the craft beer industry.

He previously worked and even had his wedding reception in Small Bar, Left Handed Giant’s bar on King Street, and admits that he is now in a dream job, which as well as the design element also sees him helping out in the brewery if required.

When Left Handed Giant are naming a new beer, all of the brewers give their suggestions and the best ones are then voted on to pick a winner.

The brewery used to feature a large ‘L’ on their bottles and their first attempt at cans, which stopped when they found the canning company were not able to ensure the quality of their beer.

The can, bottle and pump clip designs are now overseen by James and the majority are made by him but also by other Bristol artists and illustrators such as Iain Sellar and Lize Meddings.

Photographer Nicci Peet‘s work is also due to feature on an upcoming label to promote the brewery’s crowdfunding campaign to open a new brewery brew pub at Finzels Reach.

“We all really loved James’ illustrations,” explains Left Handed Giant director Jack Granger. “To have him here full time means he can now give us ideas and we can give him ideas, and he can now put his own stamp on things.”

Those stamps have so far included Archipelago, an APA, with the label design featuring a red bi-plane and four swans flying over a small group of islands; Outer Limits, an American stout featuring a giant hand and a spinning crystal; and Twilight City Grid, another pale ale with a design encompassing an imaginary futuristic cityscape.

James’ design for the Archipelago label

James’ design for Outer Limits

Most of Left Handed Giant’s cans are 440ml, which means that James has more space to play with than smaller cans – but the design limitations remain the same.

“You either want something where no matter where you are looking, you will have something to look at. Or you will have something specific to focus on,” James explains.

“You want to encourage people to pick the can up, grab it, engage with it,” adds Jack, concerned of course that a potential customer will also buy the can as well as admire its artwork.

James says that the beer industry today is increasingly competitive: “We are constantly fighting for shelf space so we need to stand out. Some designers go very minimal, other people will go very elaborate. I want to lean more towards creativity and impactful.”

James cites breweries across the world as his own artistic inspirations, including Omnipollo from Sweden, Mikkeller in Denmark and, closer to home, Buxton in Derbyshire.

A selection pf Left Handed Giant cans, from left to right: Twilight, Deeper Water, Compulsory Fun and BFG (all designed by James Yeo apart from Deeper Water, by Iain Sellar)

The day before James and Jack spoke to Bristol24/7, the Left Handed Giant brewery received 15 oak barrels formerly used to store Burgundy wine. They join former rum and tequila barrels that will be used to age future beers here.

With more barrel-aged beers due to be made in their current brewery here in St Philip’s and Left Handed Giant’s proposed move to Finzels Reach, James will not be short of work.

And he already definitely has a fan in his father-in-law. “He loved the design with his face on,” James laughs. “He even sent me a photo of a framed picture of it!”

Left Handed Giant’s monthly taproom party takes place from 5pm to 10pm on Friday, February 2, featuring food from Eatchu. Find them at Wadehurst Industrial Park off St Philip’s Road, close to the start of the Bristol & Bath Railway Path.

Read more: Pub of the Week: Left Handed Giant tap room