It’s safe to say that here at The Leap there are few things we love more than design that makes its product the hero. Add some locally made craft beer to the mix and the entire package takes on a sublime design flavour that’s pleasing to both palate and design sensibility. Beer and great design? It’s a win, all the way!

Here in Cape Town the artisan and craft movement has grown in leaps in bounds over the past few years as locals have developed a taste for the authentic and producers have risen to satisfy the growing demand. Among the many success stories in the craft liquor sector are & Union, whose eye-catching packaging is always a conversation point at some of Cape Town trendier social hotspots, and Boston Brewing Co., who have taken inspiration from local icons such as the whales off the Cape peninsula to name their Whale Tale beer, and the legend of Van Hunks’ battle with the devil to name their Van Hunks Pumpkin Ale. You can learn more about that story here.

Speaking of the devil, there’s a newcomer to the craft beer scene whose packaging has won almost as much attention as the contents – this would be the Devil’s Peak Brewing Company. Taking their name from one of the peaks which sits aside Table Mountain (and right above us here at Springleap HQ), the DPBC are getting more than a few compliments on account of the fantastic work done on their packaging range courtesy of a local design studio, Studio Muti, who collaborated with Just Design out in Stellenbosch. Take a look at the label illustrations and you’ll get a real sense of the kind of time and care taken to produce such great labels – and beer!

Each of the variant labels have a superbly-crafted illustration which displays the story and history of its name – take, for example the King’s Blockhouse IPA, which features the historic blockhouse that sits perched above the city on the slope below Devil’s Peak. Check out the skull detail in the corners!

Staying true to its Cape roots, this time honouring the botanical heritage of the Cape Floral Kingdom, their Silvertree is a Belgian saison beer that shows a knight on his charger. To see the other designs on the DPBC’s labels, click on over to their site, where you’re also able to get the background to their brew story. With such great design sensibility becoming a growing feature of the Cape craft sector, the future's looking bright for lovers of design - and beer!

(If you liked this coverage of design in the Cape craft sector, stay tuned - we'll be bringing you more of this further down the line.)