When discussing craft beer, most of the time the conversation centers around the taste and quality of the beverage. In co-directors Bret Miller and Rory McHarg’s short documentary A Two Hearted Tale, they ponder a more philosophical question: What makes a good beer label? The answer, they come to, is escapism. Featuring Ladislav Hanka, the eccentric artist behind Bell’s Brewery’s famous label the “Two Hearted Ale”, for which the documentary’s name is inspired, A Two Hearted Tale explores how beer can be more than just an adult beverage but a fascinating story.

Dave Chappell famously asked for a Bell’s Beer during a comedy set and pointed out its unusual label. “Why the hell did you put a fish on the label?”, he exclaimed aloud to much laughter from the crowd. It is a good question, why a fish? For the answer, the label’s artist Ladislav Hanka goes into colorful detail about his storied career in animation and the early lessons from childhood that shape his art today. He also speaks to drawing–pun intended– inspiration from John Voelker, author of Trout Madness and Anatomy of a Murder, a former Supreme Court Justice who quit his job in order to live a simpler life. A running theme in his work centers around the simplicity of life, a vibe that Bell’s Brewery and their signature beer label, the “Two Hearted Ale”, want to align with.

Watch A Two Hearted Tale trailer here.

A Fascinating Peek into the Advertising Industry

Bell’s Brewery is considered the pioneer of commissioning artists to create labels for their bottles. Unlike traditional beers like Coors or Budweiser, the “Two Hearted Ale” takes the drinker on a journey. Additional interviews with craft beer connoisseurs go into further detail about the history of the label and their plans for the future of Bell’s Brewery.

A Two Hearted Tale has an edgy, contemporary feel to it, almost playing more like a piece of branded content than a traditional film. It is engaging from start to finish, both visually and narratively. Due to the abundant and intricate discussions surrounding the themes of art and design, A Two Hearted Tale also offers a fascinating peek into the advertising industry.

Takeaway

Made with compassion and genuine curiosity for the art of design, A Two Hearted Tale is a wonderful story about discovery and self-actualization. This is the start of the craft beer revolution, and Bell’s Brewery is leading the charge by showing the world what a beer label is capable of.