Surly Brewing Co.
Branding • Data Visualization • Website • Social Media • Conceptual Design • Event Graphics • Figma • Adobe Illustrator • Adobe Photoshop
About Surly: Surly began in 2006 when Omar Ansari transformed his parents’ factory into a bold craft brewery fueled by community passion. Within a decade, Surly rewrote Minnesota beer laws, built a dynamic destination brewery (complete with beer hall, restaurant, and music venue), and scaled to one of the top craft brewers in the U.S. Today, its fiercely independent identity and cultural influence resonate across the Midwest, making Surly more than a brewery—it’s a movement.
My role: In 2014, I began submitting work to Surly Brewing’s annual artist contests (Darkness branding and the Coaster Contest). These contests stood out for valuing local artists—not just with prizes, but as paid creative opportunities with great perks.
winner – 2017 surly Coaster Contest
After four years of submissions, my design finally took home the most votes at Art-A-Whirl. The win came with bragging rights, lunch with Surly’s Creative Director, a trunk full of beer, and the unique honor of being the last coaster design they ever printed (many of which can still be spotted at local bars a decade later).
