Hops & Barley by Jocu

[Jocu]

Now live



Here goes… hot off the back of The Green Man comes something a little different from us. We hope you like it! Let us know what you think below.



Hops & Barley - A custom deck of playing cards lovers of fine ales, crisp lagers, and best bitters

Kickstarter Pre-Launch Page - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/di ... ying-cards

Inspired by the process of brewing our favourite beers from around the world, Hops & Barley are the latest premium deck of playing cards by Jocu.

Whether you like a full-bodied tankard of real ale, a crisp schooner of cold lager, a hop-monster APA or a pint of the 'Black Stuff' this deck is for all aficionados of brewing and great beer.









And in case anyone was wondering... here is one of the antique copper stills at the Heineken museum in Amsterdam that inspired the back design



***

A foreword…


I’ve wanted to create a ‘classic’ deck for a while and as a huge fan of beer and home-brewing this theme has been on my mind since we started.

To do this we needed a more straight-forward-yet-colourful design that could be made more affordable for people like me who burn through some decks of cards and want to keep others as a collection.

It’s been a completely different experience so far to our previous decks as the campaign casts a much wider net and offers a totally different experience. The standard decks will be much cheaper than our usual cards, and the premium deck has a lot more happening. All the variants are different but they all have the same high-quality tuck box materials and foiling as standard (albeit with opaque foil on the standard editions).

Basically this campaign is meant to be a lot more fun, for both us and the backers, and an experiment with a different direction

Specs for Standard Editions

-55 fully custom playing cards by Jocu designer Alessandra Gagliano
-52 cards, two jokers and an ad card
-Available in Pale Gold Pilsner and Deep Amber Ale
-Printed on slimline card stock with premium B9 linen finish by Cartamundi
-Matte tuck boxes with opaque foil colouring
-Designed in Italy, cards printed in Belgium and boxes printed in Italy.

Specs for Brewer's Reserve Limited Edition

-55 fully custom playing cards by Jocu designer Alessandra Gagliano
-52 cards, two jokers and an ad card
-Beautiful black and copper foil design throughout
-Printed on slimline card stock with premium B9 linen finish by Cartamundi
-Copper cold-foil printing on the backs of the cards
-Different tuck and back design to the standard versions
-Matte, textured tuck boxes with copper foil and embossing/debossing
-Designed in Italy, cards printed in Belgium and boxes printed in Italy.

Finally, we're also doing another giveaway to help promote the deck. You can grab yourself every Jocu deck so far, with the booklets.

[Decknowledgy]

Love how the court characters have that wooden barrel shade for their design!

[OVSUB]

Hmmm... as much as I'm in love with Jocu I think I might pass... AHHHH who am I kidding I'm probably gonna grab a 1 of each tier, though I won't be more buy happy than the last 2.

[brownsl]

I am not a beer fan at all but I will probably still get these.

[Jocu]

Hmmm... as much as I'm in love with Jocu I think I might pass... AHHHH who am I kidding I'm probably gonna grab a 1 of each tier, though I won't be more buy happy than the last 2.

Thanks! I know it's a different direction but we're preparing for our next big, let's say, 'Classic Jocu' campaign for a late summer launch. For this one we wanted something really playable and affordable - the standard decks will be between €8-12 on the campaign and free EU/US shipping on 3 decks or more. We don't want people being scared to tear a couple of these open.

But if you're a Tucker and insist on keeping them sealed, then the copper variant is for you We'll be putting a lot of great details into this, especially the copper deck, so I can't wait to see how it turns out as we'll be able to use some of the experimentation in future projects more confidently. More on this later

We are full-time now so you won't have to wait as long between projects either. Ale has a lot of different styles and we want to make sure to explore them all.

By the way OVSUB - you've made such nice comments about Fillide on the forum but I can't place your username to our previous interactions! Make yourself known via PM

[OVSUB]

Yeah I know I'm kinda all over the place though on UC this is just my account. I've PMed you guys. Can't wait to see all the stuff you do! Well I do open almost all pf my decks, if you're gonna buy art/cards you might as well enjoy it! ^o^

[vasta41]

I'm a sucker for beer-themed decks. And even if I weren't I'd still love this!

[Jocu]

I'm a sucker for beer-themed decks. And even if I weren't I'd still love this!

Awesome thanks! To be honest I haven't seen a lot of beer themed decks as I wanted to avoid searching for them so they didn't affect the design on this one. But from looking around I think we were right to avoid any 'in your face' beer imagery and focus on the process, the ingredients, the diverse styles and so on. It also allows Ale to do some of that lovely botanical linework she loves for the hop flowers and barley stems

[akicer]

like the theme and the design, will be in when launch for sure

One thing I don't quite like is the font of "Hops", feels not in line with the overall theme

[hsbc]

I think the back design would be much better with ornamental details instead of text

[portcullis]

I'll see how my budget goes next month -- I've got a couple of bigguns -- but colour me interested.

[STLBluesNut]

A couple of requests.

Please do not wall the reserve deck behind the other 2. I love copper and would definitely buy the reserve edition, but probably not if I have to buy the other editions as well.

The description for the reserve deck say copper or gold cold foil on the card back. Copper is definitely the right choice for the theme. Gold would be a misstep in my opinion for this deck.

Make it copper and available as a single deck and you have a backer here.

Sent from my S10+ using Tapatalk

[Jocu]

I think the back design would be much better with ornamental details instead of text

You've just helped me notice there's an error with one of those mockups in the text - this will be tweaked before launch anyway. Thanks for the input! It's not something I've wanted to do before but we were originally going with a beer label kind of style and this is part that remains. There are a lot of little details in the back to do with the theme, I won't reveal them all here just now but I hope that explains the thinking there

I'll see how my budget goes next month -- I've got a couple of bigguns -- but colour me interested.

I'll be keeping an eye on other launches too to make sure there aren't too many big clashes. On the plus side, these decks are definitely on the more affordable side. €21 for the standard pair and it'll be around €40 shipped for the three. More on this later.

A couple of requests.

Please do not wall the reserve deck behind the other 2. I love copper and would definitely buy the reserve edition, but probably not if I have to buy the other editions as well.

The description for the reserve deck say copper or gold cold foil on the card back. Copper is definitely the right choice for the theme. Gold would be a misstep in my opinion for this deck.

Make it copper and available as a single deck and you have a backer here.

Sent from my S10+ using Tapatalk

I've been listening So there is a plan for the copper deck that I hope makes it workable for us but also accessible for everyone.

I really want to limit it. It's expensive to produce and it's kind of a experiment for us with the types of paper, foils and processes we'll be using. So we have settled on a 1000 print run.

First thing I should say is that it will be a stretch goal - but a very achievable one I think. The main goal is €10k and the copper deck will be unlocked at €15k, which is more or less what our last campaigns reached with just two variants available.

When it gets unlocked it will become available in various limited tiers and not as an add on. What I didn't want was for it to be too popular and end up being snapped up more than the standards, or going over its print run limit. But at the same time we created this for collectors and appreciate that the standard decks might not be for everyone in this crowd.

So it'll be available firstly in split bricks for free, 4:4:2 split (€125 shipped EU/US). It will also be available as a half brick split 2:2:2 and a set of one of each variant (€40 shipped EU/US).

To not force people to buy all the decks as I know this irks the collectors, it will be available as a single deck plus shipping. However these will be limited to around 50 backers. I might stagger this if it proves popular so that they don't all get snapped up immediately.

And it'll definitely be copper - that gold is a type left over from an old draft where we toyed with the idea of a gold deck too. I'll remove it now

[Bikefanatic]

I'm not much of a drinker though I've visited a bunch of breweries to see the process. I do like the Brewer's Reserve deck the most because of the copper color related to a copper still plus reminds me of a beer color.

[theCapraAegagrus]

Take "Limited Edition" off the tuck, you dingus.

[Jocu]

Take "Limited Edition" off the tuck, you dingus.

Can I replace it with ‘Luxury Playing Cards’?

[Harvonsgard]

Take "Limited Edition" off the tuck, you dingus.

Can I replace it with ‘Luxury Playing Cards’?

Nah. Do A deck of cards instead.

[brownsl]

One thing that sticks out to me and now that I noticed it I am drawn to it everytime I look at the courts is that they seem to have very tiny hands.

[vasta41]

Having looked at this for a while I have some suggestions. Please understand that I will back this even as it is now, no matter what. But I think I few adjustments could go a long way in turning this deck from great to amazing.

First of all, I just noticed how the back of the Brewer's Reserve deck says "brewer's reserve" in the scroll. Please get rid of that. The tuck explains that it's the brewer's reserve, 56 cards don't need to spell it out as well. We get it. Same could be said for the "Hops & Barley" on the back of all cards. I hate that less but I still don't like it (again, the tuck tells us what the deck is...).

Secondly I think a little more color would help make the deck pop. I understand that you're going for monochrome beer-ish colors here and I normally don't have a problem with that on certain decks (your Fillide decks are actually a perfect example of that done right!). The back of the cards look good enough with just the one color but one or two more colors used subtlety on the tuck and courts would make the deck look more enticing to me. You've got all the typical beer and barley colors going but what about some light green to highlight the hops? I mean the deck is called Hops & Barley after all. With a few more colors on the standard decks I also think it would help make the brewers reserve deck stand out more.

Finally, I like the tulip beer glasses on the back of cards but I think maybe they could be on the tucks as well somehow? Or better yet, steins? Just a minor nitpick- I notice the dripping taps on the tucks which is cool and obviously the deck is focused more on the beer making process rather than beer itself. But at the end of the day, why brew beer if you don't want to enjoy the finished project?

Keep up the good work and I will be there when this launches for sure!

[Jocu]

Having looked at this for a while I have some suggestions. Please understand that I will back this even as it is now, no matter what. But I think I few adjustments could go a long way in turning this deck from great to amazing.

First of all, I just noticed how the back of the Brewer's Reserve deck says "brewer's reserve" in the scroll. Please get rid of that. The tuck explains that it's the brewer's reserve, 56 cards don't need to spell it out as well. We get it. Same could be said for the "Hops & Barley" on the back of all cards. I hate that less but I still don't like it (again, the tuck tells us what the deck is...).

Secondly I think a little more color would help make the deck pop. I understand that you're going for monochrome beer-ish colors here and I normally don't have a problem with that on certain decks (your Fillide decks are actually a perfect example of that done right!). The back of the cards look good enough with just the one color but one or two more colors used subtlety on the tuck and courts would make the deck look more enticing to me. You've got all the typical beer and barley colors going but what about some light green to highlight the hops? I mean the deck is called Hops & Barley after all. With a few more colors on the standard decks I also think it would help make the brewers reserve deck stand out more.

Finally, I like the tulip beer glasses on the back of cards but I think maybe they could be on the tucks as well somehow? Or better yet, steins? Just a minor nitpick- I notice the dripping taps on the tucks which is cool and obviously the deck is focused more on the beer making process rather than beer itself. But at the end of the day, why brew beer if you don't want to enjoy the finished project?

Keep up the good work and I will be there when this launches for sure!

Glad you like the glasses! Me too Check out the Aces of Spades...



First point - you're the second person to mention about the text (or the third if we count 2Piece...) so I think we'll look into this. Originally we were taking inspiration from vintage pub signs in England but as that idea has been kind of pushed into the background perhaps you're right.

Second point - I'll chat to Ale about this. I wanted at least one of the variants to have a bit of colour especially for the hops, but we were torn between keeping the deck classic and going too similar to our last project which had a lot of colour. Overall, there's a cost implication when you start adding CMYK to Pantone and we might end up having to choose one or the other, but it's certainly an option on the standard editions and perhaps the special edition too if we're clever.

Let's see what we can do and what others think. Great input thank you!

[caniveski]

i too would prefer back without words, tho i would still back, thoses ACES look great

I was also hoping to see a RUSSIAN IMPERIAL STOUT special edition ......maybe next time

[Jocu]

i too would prefer back without words, tho i would still back, thoses ACES look great

I was also hoping to see a RUSSIAN IMPERIAL STOUT special edition ......maybe next time

Ale's all excited because she's discovered about a hundred different styles of beer glasses from around the world and now wants to do them all. If this goes well I'm sure a variant with a stein is coming and stout was an idea we already had that gave way to the special edition Some day...

Anyway, Ale tells me that she only put the words on there because she thought I liked them, and she's not a fan anyway so I think we'll see a revision soon...

That's why I love this place

[theCapraAegagrus]

Take "Limited Edition" off the tuck, you dingus.

Can I replace it with ‘Luxury Playing Cards’?

No.

[Jocu]

One thing that sticks out to me and now that I noticed it I am drawn to it everytime I look at the courts is that they seem to have very tiny hands.

Really?? I just opened a deck of bikes and I reckon they're much smaller...

[vasta41]

Having looked at this for a while I have some suggestions. Please understand that I will back this even as it is now, no matter what. But I think I few adjustments could go a long way in turning this deck from great to amazing.

First of all, I just noticed how the back of the Brewer's Reserve deck says "brewer's reserve" in the scroll. Please get rid of that. The tuck explains that it's the brewer's reserve, 56 cards don't need to spell it out as well. We get it. Same could be said for the "Hops & Barley" on the back of all cards. I hate that less but I still don't like it (again, the tuck tells us what the deck is...).

Secondly I think a little more color would help make the deck pop. I understand that you're going for monochrome beer-ish colors here and I normally don't have a problem with that on certain decks (your Fillide decks are actually a perfect example of that done right!). The back of the cards look good enough with just the one color but one or two more colors used subtlety on the tuck and courts would make the deck look more enticing to me. You've got all the typical beer and barley colors going but what about some light green to highlight the hops? I mean the deck is called Hops & Barley after all. With a few more colors on the standard decks I also think it would help make the brewers reserve deck stand out more.

Finally, I like the tulip beer glasses on the back of cards but I think maybe they could be on the tucks as well somehow? Or better yet, steins? Just a minor nitpick- I notice the dripping taps on the tucks which is cool and obviously the deck is focused more on the beer making process rather than beer itself. But at the end of the day, why brew beer if you don't want to enjoy the finished project?

Keep up the good work and I will be there when this launches for sure!

Glad you like the glasses! Me too Check out the Aces of Spades...



First point - you're the second person to mention about the text (or the third if we count 2Piece...) so I think we'll look into this. Originally we were taking inspiration from vintage pub signs in England but as that idea has been kind of pushed into the background perhaps you're right.

Second point - I'll chat to Ale about this. I wanted at least one of the variants to have a bit of colour especially for the hops, but we were torn between keeping the deck classic and going too similar to our last project which had a lot of colour. Overall, there's a cost implication when you start adding CMYK to Pantone and we might end up having to choose one or the other, but it's certainly an option on the standard editions and perhaps the special edition too if we're clever.

Let's see what we can do and what others think. Great input thank you!

LOVE the aces!! And thank you for at least considering removing the text off the back. I would be surprised if anyone here would prefer it remained.

As far as the extra ink costs I think it would be worth it. I'm wondering if USPCC printing would be in the realm of possibilities? Mostly wishful thinking..

[Harvonsgard]

I'm wondering if USPCC printing would be in the realm of possibilities?

I understand folks asking for upgrades like more colours and such but downgrades?

Aces are pretty sweet. Hands are fine in length, imo. The width could be a indeed adjusted. Writting on the back could stay for me. Fits the pub and beer theme.

[robcan0630]

I agree with others that the deck title text doesn’t seem necessary on the card back. I’m in.

[brownsl]

One thing that sticks out to me and now that I noticed it I am drawn to it everytime I look at the courts is that they seem to have very tiny hands.

Really?? I just opened a deck of bikes and I reckon they're much smaller...

Lol, maybe it is just the proportion of length vs. width. They seem narrow and long.

[Jocu]

The nifty new pre-project sign up page is up...

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/di ... ying-cards" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If you plan on backing please follow here to be notified. It will give us a better idea of when to launch

Thank you!

[Harvonsgard]

Dunno if you stick to the text on the card backs or not, so it might be overdue, but in the renders this part (yellow arrow) is always wrong. I recognized it yesterday but always forgot to post it. In the pre-campaign link picture it is wrong on the yellow back design as well.

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