Sunset Tapbarn
Sunset Tapbarn provides a one-of-a-kind experience. It is a horse retirement sanctuary with a tap barn venue where crafty sips and horseshoes meet. Families can enjoy a variety of craft beverages while helping to provide the equine residents with some of the care they need in their daily lives. But that's not all. At Sunset Tapbarn, you can get more involved and take part in the experience of purchasing a horse-safe drink similar to yours for one of our equine residents.
I created Sunset Tapbarn for my senior capstone project at UW–Stout. Inspired by the horses I grew up caring for and riding, the project brought together my personal roots and passion for design to create a brand concept that unites a horse retirement sanctuary with a tap barn experience.
Primary Logo
Secondary & Tertiary Logos
Moodboards
At Sunset Tapbarn, every sip tells a story. There is currently twelve drinks offered—three horse-safe “beers,” three craft beers, and three craft sodas. Each belongs to one of the four flavor lines, inspired by the first resident horses and the treated they love most. These are their stories.
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Insired by Pearl’s love for peppermint candies, this flavor line captures the crisp bite of peppermint with a sparkling finish. From a frosty fizz-tail to a bright soda and a horse-safe ‘For The Horses’ beer, each drink reflects the brisk cool energy of a snowy pasture and the bold spirit of Arctic Pearl. With every sip, the flavors evoke freshness and the serene beauty of winter.
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Inspired by Nik’s love for carrots which is also a classic barn favorite, this flavor line highlights the natural sweetness of carrots balanced with warm notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. From a rich stout to a bubbly root beer and and a horse-safe ‘For The Horses’ beer, each drink celebrates the rustic charm of homemade carrot cake and the joy it brings—just like Sputnik’s spirited and down-to-earth nature.
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Insired by Demarco’s love for oats, this flavor line is rooted in comfort and coziness, blending the earthy richness of oats with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, rounded out by hints of vanilla sweetness like an oatmeal cookie. Whether in a smooth cream ale, a nostalgic cream soda, or a horse-safe ‘For The Horses’ beer, each drink captures the essence of a freshly baked oatmeal cookie and the inviting atmosphere of the barn
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Inspired by Winston’s love for pears, this flavor line is bright and refreshing, pairing the crisp zing of apple with the smooth sweetness of pears—his favorite treat. From a spiked punch to a crisp punch, a horse-safe ‘For The Horses’ beer, each drink reflects an orchard’s simple abundance and the spirited energy of Winston himself. With every sip, the flavors capture both refreshment and warmth.
After developing the four horse-inspired flavor lines, I designed a series of can labels to visually capture the essence of each flavor. Every label was crafted to reflect not only the taste profile, but also the personality of the horse that inspired it. The result is a cohesive collection of designs that tie the brand story, the flavors, and the equine residents together in a visually engaging way.
To extend the Sunset Tapbarn brand beyond the cans, I created a range of merchandise and promotional mockups, including T-shirts, drinking glasses, stickers, a custom tap handle. and coasters. Each piece was designed to carry the visual identity of the Tapbarn in a way that feels cohesive, inviting, and memorable. This creates a complete experience that connects visitors to the story and spirit of Sunset Tapbarn.
For the senior capstone event at UW-Stout, we were required to display our projects on display boards, but also however we saw best fit to bring our work to life and display our project and its components.
