The winning artwork came from Burnie-based medical student Matilda Huy, with her piece, ‘More hops than a fairy penguin’. The digital design struck a chord with the Communion team for both its aesthetic appeal and its subtle connection to the region. Andrew said the artwork managed to feel fresh while still staying true to Communion’s identity. “One of the things the staff team liked about this is it still looks like a Communion can,” he said. “It still has our kind of feel to it, and it ties it back to Burnie nicely.” That local connection proved particularly meaningful, with the design featuring imagery inspired by Burnie’s famous penguins, an instantly recognisable symbol for the coastal city. “Even though we’re not called Penguin, in Burnie, that’s where you can see all the penguins,” Andrew said. “I think that is what got it over the line in the end.” The competition also highlighted just how diverse Tasmania’s creative scene can be. Entries ranged from large-scale paintings to digitally created works, all working within a simple can-label framework provided by the brewery. “We gave people a little bit of a framework in that it’s got to fit on this kind of template, but other than that, it could really be anything. We had entries that were dropped in that were quite large paintings all the way down to digital pieces drawn on the computer.” For a brewery operating in an increasingly competitive craft beer market, the visual identity of a product is more important than ever, particularly on crowded bottle shop shelves. Andrew believes the story behind the can can be just as powerful as the beer inside it.
got to look good, look appealing, and have a bit of a story behind it,” he said. “I’m hopeful that the story behind this one is one of the things that helps it move.” That storytelling element is something Communion Brewing Co has embraced since its inception. The venue has become a popular community hub in Burnie, known for championing local producers, musicians, creatives and events. The Canvas Series feels like a natural extension of that philosophy, creating opportunities for collaboration while giving locals another reason to feel connected to the venue.
COMMUNION BREWING CO. PIC: MASON DOHERTY PHOTOGRAPHY
“Our whole venue is really based around locals, so it’s always good to maximise that,” Andrew said. And while the artwork may be the headline act this time around, Andrew is confident the beer will still hold up its end of the bargain. “As usual, it’ll be a very, very drinkable beer, so expect it to be very easy drinking and delicious.” For Communion Brewing Co, the Canvas Series was about more than a can design competition. It was another example of how hospitality venues can become genuine community spaces – places where local stories, creativity and culture are not just supported but celebrated. And in this case, celebrated one Pale Ale at a time.
“You shop with your eyes at the bottle shop, so it’s
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45 Tasmanian Hospitality Review June/July Edition
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