Blackjack Brew Co., a microbrewery based in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, UK, has revealed a new logo and visual identity designed by Ensemble. Established in 2012, the company has grown from a one-man operation in a railway arch into a key player in Manchester’s microbrewery scene, known for pioneering the city’s brewery tap culture. The rebranding brings a modern touch while staying true to the brewery’s gritty, authentic roots.
The new logo features a bold wordmark with a custom typeface inspired by MT Kino, known for its heavy, geometric strokes. The modern, urban feel suits the brewery’s industrial setting in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. The thick, straight lines of the letters give the logo a strong, confident look, while subtle curves in certain letters add contrast and interest.
A distinctive feature is the curved crossbars in the letter “A,” which softens the logo without losing its boldness. The curved portions of the “C” and “E” balance the more angular strokes of the other letters. One outlier in the design is the “W,” which is thicker in the middle, creating a slight imbalance, but overall, the wordmark captures the brewery’s urban vibe.
Another key element is the symbol between “BREW” and “CO.” Evolving from the more detailed imagery of the previous logo, this new emblem is minimalistic. The original figure holding a beer mug has been simplified, keeping an air of mystery while allowing the symbol to work at smaller sizes without losing its presence.
The logo’s black-and-white color scheme gives it a timeless, classic feel. Black conveys strength, and the white lettering offers sharp contrast, ensuring legibility across different formats. This simple palette makes the logo adaptable to beer cans, signage, or digital media.
The layout of the design is carefully thought out. The brand name is in large, blocky letters across the top, with “BREW” and “CO” underneath, balanced by the symbol in the middle, which ties everything together. The spacing allows each element to stand out clearly while forming a cohesive design.
Beyond the logo, the rebranding connects the brewery to its local heritage. The design takes inspiration from the surrounding Victorian stonework, hand-painted signs, and typographical features in Angel Meadow, the historic neighborhood where the brewery is located. This grounding in Manchester’s history reinforces the brand’s roots while positioning it for future growth.
The rebranding extends to the beer labels, each telling a story tied to the brewery’s local history. The names of the beers and label designs reflect the cobblestone streets and local stories, adding authenticity and pride. This storytelling approach helps set the brewery apart in a crowded craft beer market, while the bold, modern logo makes the brand visually distinctive.
This new identity positions Blackjack Brew Co. as a standout craft beer, blending tradition with a fresh, contemporary look.
