Karbach Brewing conjures a winning legend in a can

The winning label wasn’t born overnight. According to Karbach’s senior graphic designer, Greg Jackson, the design took over a year to bring to life – an imaginative journey that blended German folklore, fantasy storytelling and vibrant, metal-decorated colour. ‘When I found out our entry had won, I was thrilled, and a little surprised,’ Greg admits. ‘It felt incredible to see the team’s creativity and effort recognised on such a big platform.’

Dunkels & Dragons, a limited-edition German-style dark lager, is part of Karbach’s rotating Fun Series – a line-up of small-batch beers with tongue-in-cheek branding and short runs. ‘We like to keep things fresh,’ Greg explains. ‘These beers are made for the moment. As it says on every Fun Series can: “Here for a fun time, not a long time”.’

Behind the scenes, the design team – including brewmaster Mitch Sokolis, senior brand manager Emily Rodgers and digital content manager Josh Olalde – embarked on an ambitious creative process. Drawing on medieval German legends and the rich lore of tabletop role-playing games, they imagined an epic tale for the beer’s fictional world. The result? A narrative as rich as the lager itself.

‘At the heart of Dunkel Kingdom lies the Elder Tap,’ Greg says with a smile. ‘It’s a mythical artifact that flows with the perfect brew, guarded by sacred elements: hop, yeast, water and malt. But greedy dragons lurk in the shadows. The can tells that story and the drinker becomes part of the legend.’

From a production perspective, the team embraced INX’s Color Catalog early in the process, choosing four vibrant hues that ensured the artwork would translate powerfully to aluminium. ‘The gold especially gives it punch on the shelf,’ Greg says. ‘And the Color Catalog is so reliable – it helps fast-track production because what you see is what you get.’

Though Dunkels & Dragons is no longer on shelves, its legacy lives on through this award. And according to Greg, its story might not be over. ‘Winning this has definitely stirred the cauldron. Let’s just say – another quest could be on the horizon.’