Beamish X Impala

Beamish commissioned Cork illustrator Cathy Hogan to design a limited-edition glass and merch line, unveiled at Impala in March. Ticket covered entry, a pint, and a tote. Efa O'Neill behind the decks. Live screen printing on the night.

The execution on social, and the sequencing in particular, caught the eye. Beamish teased a get together happening somewhere in Cork, then the illustrated glass dropped as the announcement. District Magazine helped the message land with the right audience. The event was captured through three different angles. Afterward, hero video positioned both brands at the centre of Cork's alternative scene..

The glasses proved popular enough that people who missed the night were asking where to buy one. Hogan's illustrations pulled Cork landmarks and Impala's own interior onto something worth keeping. The totes were printed live. The merch had weight because the craft was visible in the room, not described in a caption.

Impala do some of the best bar photography in Cork, and this was no different. The merch was prominent, but they also captured the evening around it. Smiling staff behind the bar and groups of friends sharing laughs without feeling stiff or polished.

What stood out most was what Beamish chose to leave alone. No studio lighting. No product hero shots against slate with a garnish. They put Cork in a room and let it speak. The brand sat inside something that already had cultural gravity, and the stout was secondary to the evening itself.

SALTHOUSE works with drinks brands on social media management, content production, and brand intelligence across Ireland. If this is the kind of work your brand should be doing, get in touch at hello@salthouse.ie.