Recently I was approached by Stockton BID (Business Improvement District) to produce an illustrated 'Ale Trail' for them.

The Stockton Ale Trail highlights the impressive selection of real ale pubs that Stockton has to offer. Previous incarnations of the Ale Trail map had done the job, but were lacking in visual appeal. This time around my client wanted something with a little more flair, to tantalise prospective drinkers.

I was tasked with producing eleven original illustrations of the pubs around Stockton, from cheerful town centre pubs and vibrant little bars, to the beautiful micro pubs tucked away in the town’s Cultural Quarter. I also designed the foldout Ale Trail Map, along with a beautiful brand identity for the trail itself, including a striking logo, and a pattern featuring bottles and pints of ale. This brand will likely be expanded upon for future trails and guides in Stockton.

The illustrations represent Stockton as a true haven for those of us who enjoy a great pint of ale. I had the pleasure of visiting each of these pubs to take reference photographs for the illustrations. Each pub owner was also gifted with an illustrated print, to proudly display in their venue.

The Stockton Ale Trail has a total of eleven carefully selected pubs, (there are plenty more gems to discover about the town). Eleven may sound like rather a lot, but you don’t have to try them all in a single day! To pick up your copy of the Ale Trail Map, just pop into any of the eleven pubs on the trail: The Golden Smog, The Thomas Sheraton, The Storytellers, Lucifers, Musiclounge, The Georgian Theatre, Hope & Union, The Wasps Nest, Ivy House, The Sun Inn and The Royal Oak.