WorkGraphic Design

Love & War creates taproom graphics for women-owned Brooklyn-based craft beer company Talea

Shaking off preconceived ideas of craft ale people as being the preserve of men with beards, women-owned craft beer company Talea launched in 2019, opening its flagship taproom in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, in March this year.

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Talea craft beer taproom storefront in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, with large black-framed windows, turquoise tile accents and white pendant light above the entrance

Branding and design agency Love & War has created colourful designs for the brand's space, as well as helping shape its brand strategy, physical space and consumer experience. The playful, bold designs were largely inspired by the packaging designs created by IWANT design. The architects for the space were Carpenter + Mason.

The backstory of Talea, co-founded by Tara Hankinson and LeAnn Darland, inspired the design work; and worked with the Love & War team to bring the brand to life across the taproom. Touchpoints they worked on in the space include unique designs for the flight tray (the paddle-like objects used for sampling several beers); merchandise such as sweatshirts and t-shirts; backboards and paper menus.

"The idea behind the design was to treat the space as a venue and all the new ever-changing varieties of beer as if they were bands," says Love & War creative director Steve Fine. "There's always something new and something to go back for. It's not what you'd expect from a typical taproom experience, but it’s the kind of experience a truly unique and unexpected brand like Talea can pull off."

Talea taproom interior showing turquoise tiled bar with paper menus, hanging spherical pendant lights and black metal grid framework against white walls
Talea Beer Co's Williamsburg taproom interior featuring a central counter with a burnt orange canopy, pendant lighting, wooden finishes, and shelving displaying products on either side
Woman smiling at camera while reaching toward a grey speckled wall in Talea's taproom with turquoise tile and white subway tile visible behind her
Talea taproom storefront in Williamsburg with white corner signage, striped umbrellas and turquoise chairs on the outdoor patio
Tara Hankinson and LeAnn Darland, co-founders of Talea beer company, stand behind the taproom counter with teal tiles and grey speckled backsplash behind them
Circular mirror with peach-coloured tile frame mounted on white wall above black-tiled booth seating with wooden bench and grey table in Talea taproom
Person in white shirt holding a red Talea beer glass and a pale ale sample glass at the Williamsburg taproom, with orange tiled wall behind
Two women in white shirts toast with a glass and Talea beer can at a black table with a potted plant between them, against an orange tile backdrop
Talea beer taproom with natural wood communal table and benches, potted plants along windowed walls, and black tile accents
Black shelving unit displaying Talea beer cans alongside branded glassware and drinkware against a tiled wall
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