Dear world, it is my pleasure to announce the continued modern-day miracle working of Aesthetic Apparatus. Today’s magic: the 2010 label for Minneapolis’ own Surly Brewing Company’s Russian Imperial Stout: DARKNESS. This tasty opportunity was offered in past years to the likes of Adam Turman in 2007, Nic Skrade (misspelled on the label?) in 2008, and Dave Witt in 2009. Each of these artists and designers was (and is) based in the Twin Cities, and to continue that tradition in a highly proper manner, Aesthetic Apparatus has been asked next. Beer plus AA. How else could the world of beer and the beer filled world move on into the future? There is no other way available.

If you’re blind, you might not notice that above, you can see the label for the beer we’re talking about here. If you click the thumbnail in the gallery below, you can see it bigger. If you buy the beer on “Darkness Day” Saturday, October 23rd, you’ll see it even bigger-er.

Read the label in text here, courtesy of, who else, Beer News:

“The inception of Darkness was rather humble. In 2006, Todd Haug, Surly Head Brewer, told me he was going to brew twelve barrels of this Russian Imperial Stout. I wondered how we would ever sell 24 kegs of this giant brew to Twin Cities’ bars and restaurants. Given my faith in Todd, I did not stop him. Thank God. We soon heard of people pouring their beers into 12-ounce bottles, capping them and taking them home. Well, if bottles were what Surly Nation wanted, then bottles were what they would get! That year, two whole kegs -60 growlers- were sold.

In 2007, we ramped up production to 30 barrels, and Minneapolis-based artist, Adam Turman, designed the first label for a 750ml bottle. December 15th was the earliest we could label, fill and dip all 5,000 bottles: so we celebrated with bands, beer and donuts. We sold out quickly to the brave souls who weathered the cold to stand in line, and Darkness Day was born. In 2008, tattoo artist, Nik Skrade, designed the label and the event exploded ten-fold to 5,000 bottles. In 2009, local artist, Dave Witt was commissioned for the Darkness artwork, and the City of Brooklyn Center joined the party.

This year, Aesthetic Apparatus has designed the label and is beginning the new tradition of a yearlong series of original artwork for our beer. So, that’s how this humble little/big beer became the unexpected juggernaut you now hold in your hands. Let’s raise a glass to all the artists and beer geeks that have made it possible!”

Limited edition for sure. And ALSO in the gallery you’ll see past years’ beers. Credit for these photos go to: Friday Night Beer, The Perfectly Happy Man, and PeterHDK. See if you can match the beer to the artist. It’ll be fun for everyone.

This post is part of the World Famous Design Junkies black category.