Featured image for Bristols Cider: Inspired by Thirst. Rooted in Tradition.

Bristols Cider: Inspired by Thirst. Rooted in Tradition.

by Alianne Valladares-Prieto on 02/18/2021 | 2 Minute Read

Bristols Cider is a hard cider brand based in Atascadero, California. Neil Collins, the man behind the curtain, started the project as a side hustle while working through Lone Madrone winery. Having been born and raised in Bristol, England, he decided to take his unapologetic passion for true, traditional hard cider and make something out of it. 

Makers & Allies were contracted to develop a brand identity for this cider that would intentionally set itself apart from the rest of the sweeter, lighter American brands of cider. By incorporating elements of death, marked by skeletons on the glass bottle labels, the design team seemed to lean towards Neil’s goal of killing the stereotype that apple cider should be sweet as opposed to dry—the way it is made in the UK. The simple, sleek, and black aluminum can labels, on the other hand, are an ode to tradition and true quality. 


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Neil Collins is an OG of the Paso Robles wine industry, working (more than) full time as the winemaker at Tablas Creek and Lone Madrone. Bristols Cider is his side hustle, a passion project and an homage to his upbringing in Bristol, England—quintessential cider country.

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Our rebrand for Bristols was inspired by Neil's rebellious spirit and the Bristols Cider's marked departure from the simple and overly sweet offering all too readily available in the US. The hand-drawn word-mark is a nod to the old Bristol buses in England, meant to be iconic and instantly recognizable in the competitive cider market. The packaging itself was chosen intentionally, to give the brand legs to run within the off-premise market. Overall, the rebrand mixes the past of the cider maker with a promising future for the beloved always dry, never sweet, hard cider.

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Editorial photograph
Editorial photograph
Editorial photograph
Editorial photograph

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