Bronze Packaging Design · 2025
Iced Hop Gin Packaging
by Michael Held
- A' Design Award 2025 Bronze Winner in Packaging Design
- Awarded April 15, 2025
- CLIENT: Michael Held
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 12,278
- Verification code 376CC33B85 · Verify this award
About Iced Hop Gin Packaging
The gin's flavor, created through a infusion of hop and peppermint, is reflected in its visual identity. A frozen hop cone paired with a staring owl captures the crisp, cool essence of the drink. The dominance of mint is echoed in the outer packaging through shades of blue and stylized ice flowers. This cold, clean theme continues in the frosted glass bottle, where a metallic label enhances the icy impression. Subtle frost patterns and snowflake accents are embossed on the surface, reinforcing the fresh theme. Each element supports the gin's refreshing character.
Michael Held's Iced Hop Gin Packaging presents a sophisticated exercise in visual storytelling through material surface and symbolic compression, situating itself within the flourishing contemporary craft spirits movement that has transformed beverage packaging from mere functional container into cultural artifact and brand narrative vehicle, the design demonstrates particular facility in synthesizing multiple symbolic registers into coherent visual identity, beginning with the central owl motif whose feather patterns ingeniously merge zoological and botanical references by constructing plumage from overlapping hop cone forms, this hybrid iconography elegantly solving the communication challenge of conveying both the gin's distinctive hop botanical character and establishing memorable brand emblem simultaneously, the owl itself carries rich symbolic freight as creature of nocturnal wisdom, silent hunting precision, and watchful guardianship, attributes that transfer metaphorically to suggest the craft and discernment required in spirit distillation while the hop-feather fusion grounds this mythological resonance in specific ingredient reality, the chromatic strategy reveals sophisticated understanding of color psychology and material semiotics, the dominant prussian blue suggesting both cold climate origins and premium positioning while establishing strong shelf presence through saturated chromatic intensity, this deep blue transitions through atmospheric gradient into crystalline white in the carton's lower register, an abstract landscape suggestion that evokes frozen environments without literal depiction, allowing viewers to project associations of alpine purity, winter clarity, and the pristine water sources essential to distillation craft, the bottle's frosted surface treatment extends this temperature metaphor through material means, the translucent crystalline texture implying sub-zero cold while creating tactile appeal and visual intrigue as light diffuses through the treated glass, the typography demonstrates contemporary sensibility through generous spacing and clean sans-serif letterforms that communicate straightforward honesty and modern craft values rather than Old World tradition, while the decorative sawtooth border introduces heritage craft reference providing temporal depth and artisanal authenticity codes, the golden "20XX" notation adds calibrated warmth to the cool palette while potentially suggesting vintage year designation or proprietary designation that implies small-batch production values, the integrated label system achieves remarkable consistency across both bottle and carton surfaces, creating unified brand experience while the carton's protective function allows for more extensive graphic development including the evocative winter landscape gradient, the compositional arrangement follows classical product presentation conventions while the sophisticated color relationships and symbolic density elevate execution above generic category standards, this packaging emerges from design traditions that understand how surface graphics and three-dimensional form collaborate to construct brand meaning, how color temperature and material texture can evoke environmental and experiential associations, and how symbolic creatures can carry complex attribute clusters more efficiently than descriptive language, the work invites consideration of how contemporary craft producers distinguish themselves through visual identity systems that balance heritage references with modern minimalism, how packaging functions as primary brand encounter in retail environments, and how effective design compresses complex narratives about ingredient sourcing, production methods, geographical origins, and quality positioning into immediate visual impression, asking viewers to contemplate the sophisticated visual vocabulary through which material culture communicates value, authenticity, and desire.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- The frozen hop cone paired with a mystic owl visually reflects the gin's unique flavor profile, dominated by spicy hops and refreshing peppermint. The coolness of mint shapes the overall impression, mirrored in the outer packaging with cool blue tones and ice flowers. This frosty theme extends to the frosted glass bottle, with a metallic label enhancing the icy feel. The recurring owl emblem adds a sense of freshness and determination, highlighting the gin's direct, strong taste.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- 72 mm x 72 mm x 193 mm
- Tags
- Gin, Infused, iced, owl, hop,
- Production Technology
- In cooperation with the founder, we created the Gin packaging totally from scratch including the material mix. Through these well-chosen and simple materials like the frosted glass and the reflective label the design visually prepares the customer for the upcoming fresh and crisp taste experience.
- Design Challenge
- At first, I experimented with different bottle types i.e. brown beer bottles with crown caps or bow closure. Also, I went for a green color theme for the label with classical Blackletter typography. This has led to, a direction of traditional Franconian craft beer design. The idea of peppermint infusion was not directly visible.
- Project Duration
- The project began in November 2023 and was completed in March 2024. The selection of a suitable mix of materials was especially challenging, as the small production volume meant that an attractively priced paper had to be used for the label and outer packaging.
The gin is produced in a small town in Franconian Switzerland and is sold purely locally in the farm store of the small fruit farm. - Operation Flow
- The fine feel of the velvety, smooth bottles with their fine structure is reminiscent of the feathers of an owl. The asymmetrical label design visually highlights the unconventional character.
- Research
- Not applicable
- Inspiration
- The packaging is inspired by handcrafted beer using design elements often seen in craft brewing, like the detailed image of a hop cone. This connects to the idea of quality and care in making the product, similar to how craft beers are made. The frosted glass bottle and metallic label add to this handmade feel, showing that the gin, like craft beer, is made with attention to detail and tradition.
- Image Credits
- Images: Photographer tm studios visuelle medien GmbH, 2024.
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G0E23 ShopGrand Interview about Iced Hop Gin Packaging
Craft beer has a long tradition in the fruit-farming region. The same hops used for brewing beer are also used to infuse the gin, and they are grown in a nearby town.During the design process, I drew inspiration from the aesthetics of the old breweries in Franconian Switzerland. Initially, I began designing a hop-based beer label—but for gin. As the process continued and we tasted the final product, it became clear that this gin had a distinctive flavour, setting it apart from other gins.Inspired by traditional beer labels, the gin—with its strong and unique character—also needed a symbolic figure as an eye-catcher. This is how the owl emblem emerged during the design project. Additionally, the zigzag shape from the regional coat of arms, known as the “Franconian Rake,” was used at the bottom line of the packaging as well as on the label. Overall, the design was inspired by the region’s traditions but combines an unconventional approach, exploring new ways of handcrafting gin and thus shaping the product’s unique look and feel.
My approach is to ensure that every design detail emphasizes the character of the product and strengthens the overall appearance of the packaging. We could have used a warm, traditional label surface like those found on classic beer bottles, but since this is a gin and not a beer, we needed something different. During the process, we explored various paper options and ultimately chose a cool, clear metallic finish to highlight the distinctive freshness of the peppermint flavour, which defines this gin’s unique taste. With the smooth bottle combined with the embosed label, the way the light refracts creates an even more attractive appearance. Finding such visual metaphors truly pays off, as they allow the customer to see and feel the special character of the product in both its appearance and its essence.
Inspired by hops, one of the main ingredients that also gives Iced Hop Gin its name, I began with a layout like a craft beer label and experimented with how traditional beer bottles could be used as packaging for the final product. However, a beer bottle with a crown cap cannot be properly opened and closed multiple times, which made it impractical.While defining the right bottle shape, the key visual of a frozen hop cone combined with an owl symbol reflecting the craft beer idea gradually evolved. During the process, we realized that the character of the gin was less about beer and more about being a distinctive spirit in its own right. Therefore, we decided to move away from the beer-inspired appearance toward a more gin-like packaging.In my opinion, the result is not overly sophisticated but rather clear and confident. This clarity in the design gives the packaging a bold expression and underlines the product’s strong and direct taste. The minimalistic design is further enriched by refined details such as the owl emblem. Altogether, every design decision made during the process represents a transformation, breaking new ground and evolving from tradition into a unique and fresh expression of contemporary packaging design.
The owl is a powerful metaphor and symbol, even in ancient mythology such as Greek antiquity. It represents deep insight and artistic wisdom. With its strong, insistent gaze, it engages the viewer while still leaving an air of mystery to be discovered. This reflects the intellectual dimension of the symbol. However, in the context of packaging design, where people decide within seconds whether a product attracts their attention or desire, the combination of a hop cone and a frozen owl also serves as a striking visual element. It literally unites the product’s character with the image of a frozen hop, symbolizing the gin’s refreshing and distinctive taste.
This was a question of economic balance. Due to the limited production volume, we had to rely on available materials such as frosted label paper and bottles that could be ordered in small quantities. As a result, the research for every single component was very intensive. We collaborated with different suppliers offering affordable prices and quick availability, and assembled everything during production. The final product appears premium because of the carefully selected materials, which convey a sense of quality, and through the attention to detail in the design. Each material and design element contributes its own character, making the final packaging more than just the sum of its parts.
Yes, it was designed to be unconventional and unique. Traditional beer and liqueur labels are almost always symmetrical, often following the same visual rules and composition principles. I wanted to break with this convention and create something unexpected. The asymmetrical layout gives the design a distinctive personality and reflects the fruit farmer’s individual approach to crafting unique products while remaining rooted in the heritage of a traditional local farm. The idea behind this was not only to design something that looks different but also to express a mindset, one that values authenticity and creativity over repetition. The design challenges the viewer’s expectations and visually represents the farm’s philosophy of innovation within tradition. This design language can also be seen across the labels of the farm’s other products, creating a consistent yet flexible visual identity that highlights the uniqueness of each handmade creation.
It was more about the frosted look and the way light is reflected from the bottle to create a smooth visual impression and tactile feeling. Instead of using regular transparent glass, the frosted bottle reinforces the icy theme, while the subtle embossed texture of the label and its metallic sheen evoke the image of frozen feathers and enhance the sense of a premium gin. Together, these elements convey an impression of the gin’s taste, a full-bodied and rounded finish with a hint of herbs in the aftertaste. This harmony between material aesthetics and sensory anticipation reflects the essence of the product’s design.
Based on the idea that every detail is connected to the product, each element influences the overall design and vice versa. The ice flowers, for example, reflect the cool taste of the infused peppermint, just as the frosted bottle does. To complete the icy impression, the snowflake symbol further reinforces this theme. The carefully chosen bluish gradient provides the visual foundation for the cold look, supported by details such as the frozen hop cone within the owl emblem. Additional elements, like the metallic label surface, enhance the overall appearance and tactile quality, creating a design that feels as refined and distinctive as the gin itself.
Some elements, such as the Franconian Rake, were essential to reflect the traditions of the region and the family-run fruit farm. In addition, the overall packaging design was inspired by both original Franconian beer labels and modern craft beer aesthetics, while also expressing the distinctive character of a gin. At the same time, the corporate design and identity of the farm had to be handled with care. Additionally, the owner’s passion for distilling and exploring new experimental spirits and products influenced the look and feel, which is intentionally unconventional and modern. In summary, the courage to create handcrafted, one-of-a-kind products and the desire to explore new paths, while remaining deeply rooted in the region, represent a meaningful transition from tradition toward innovation. Since the Iced Hop Gin is such a unique product, it required an equally distinctive design that unites all these qualities.
Getting my work awarded is an honour for me and confirms my belief that design truly makes a difference in today’s fast-paced world. It proves that thoughtful, well-crafted design has the power to stand out, tell stories, and create emotional connections between product and audience. Such recognition strengthens my conviction that design is not just decoration, but a meaningful tool to express values, identity, and authenticity. It also motivates me to give my best in every single project in the future, to keep exploring new ideas, and to challenge conventional boundaries. Especially when handcrafted products meet contemporary packaging design, there is a special tension between tradition and modernity, a space where truly unique and lasting creations can emerge.