Sneaky Tiki: From Beer Label to Custom Tap Handle

How we transformed Martha’s Vineyard Brewing Company’s tropical IPA artwork into a dimensional tap handle built to stand out at the bar.

Client: Martha’s Vineyard Brewing Company
Brand: Sneaky Tiki Tropical IPA
Project: Custom 3D Tap Handle
Material: Molded Resin
Services: Design • Prototyping • Production

The Challenge

Sneaky Tiki already had something every great tap handle needs: a strong visual identity.

Martha’s Vineyard Brewing Company’s Tropical IPA packaging features a carved tiki character surrounded by tropical foliage, hibiscus flowers and bold island-inspired colors.

Our challenge was to take that detailed 2D artwork and turn it into a production-ready 3D tap handle that was instantly recognizable from across the bar.

The goal wasn’t to simply put the Sneaky Tiki logo on a standard handle.

We wanted to bring the character to life.

From Label to Tap Handle

The original beer artwork became the blueprint for the design.

We identified the elements that made Sneaky Tiki immediately recognizable and translated them into dimensional features:

• Carved wood tiki texture
• Oversized red mouth and facial features
• Tropical green foliage
• Dimensional hibiscus flower
• Turquoise headband
• Raised Sneaky Tiki lettering
• Martha’s Vineyard Brewing Company branding

Rather than trying to reproduce every detail from the packaging, we focused on the elements that would create the strongest visual impact at the point of sale.

The result: the beer’s mascot became the tap handle.

Design → Prototype → Refinement

A rendering can show you the concept.

A prototype shows you how the design actually works in the real world.

Once the first physical Sneaky Tiki prototype was produced, we evaluated the handle from every angle and refined the details before moving into final production.

This included adjustments to:

• Character proportions
• Wood grain and sculpted textures
• Facial features
• Logo placement
• Foliage and flower depth
• Paint and finishing details
• Side and rear presentation

This step helped ensure the finished handle stayed true to the original artwork while also functioning as a durable piece of bar equipment.

The Finished Product

The final Sneaky Tiki tap handle feels less like a traditional beer handle and more like a miniature branded sculpture.

Deep molded wood textures create the carved tiki appearance, while dimensional foliage, the hibiscus flower and turquoise detailing bring the tropical artwork into three dimensions.

Raised white SNEAKY TIKI lettering provides immediate beer recognition, while the black base prominently displays the Martha’s Vineyard Brewing Company logo.

Every major visual element connects directly back to the original beer packaging.

From the can to the tap, the brand stays unmistakably Sneaky Tiki.

Why This Tap Handle Works

👁 Built to Get Noticed

The oversized silhouette, dimensional details and contrasting colors help Sneaky Tiki stand apart in a crowded tap lineup.

🎯 Instant Brand Recognition

Instead of simply displaying the logo, the entire tap handle becomes an extension of the beer’s identity.

📦 Packaging-to-POS Consistency

The character, colors, typography and tropical elements create a seamless connection between the beer packaging and the draft experience.

🔄 Designed in 360°

The handle was developed as a three-dimensional object with intentional detailing beyond the front face.

🍺 Built for the Bar

The detailed artwork was translated into a durable, production-ready molded handle designed for everyday commercial use.

The Result

Sneaky Tiki is a perfect example of what can happen when great beer packaging is carried all the way through to the point of sale.

By transforming Martha’s Vineyard Brewing Company’s illustrated tiki character into a fully dimensional tap handle, we created something that doesn’t just identify the beer.

It advertises it.

It’s bold. It’s recognizable. And it’s impossible to confuse it with the tap handle sitting next to it.

Have Artwork? We Can Bring It to Life.

You don’t need to come to us with a finished tap handle design.

Send us your beer can, bottle label, logo, brand artwork—or even just an idea and we’ll help turn it into a custom tap handle built specifically for your brand.

• 100 Unit Minimum
• Complimentary Design Concepts
• Custom Shapes, Materials & Finishes
• Quality Guaranteed

Start your custom tap handle project today!
sales@custombeerhandles.com