The first beer out of Dogfish Head Miami’s 2022 tArt Series - an annual lineup of limited-edition sour ales featuring label artwork by a local artist - is releasing on Saturday Mar. 5, aka '3-OH-5 Day'! Dragonfruit Salad (6.5% ABV) is a full-bodied fruited tart ale. With eclectic artwork by Miami-local Alex Izaguirre, also known as MAMÚT, the beer’s list of ingredients is as fun and colorful as its label. Brewed with a mix of Florida-grown dragonfruit, starfruit, banana and acai, Dragonfruit Salad provides a fruit-forward party in the forefront, complemented by a subtly sweet and nutty backdrop.

We sat down with our 2022 tArt Series artist, MAMÚT to learn about his inspiration behind the label art. A Venezuelan-born graphic artist based in Miami, MAMÚT’s passion for design is strongly linked to music, social justice and use of color, the latter of which can be seen in his eye-catching label artwork for Dragonfruit Salad. MAMÚT’s influences range from graphic novels and rock and roll to patterns and traditional printing techniques, and he embraces all the conscious and subconscious culture he has absorbed while both living in Venezuela as a teenager and residing in Miami now.

Get to know MAMÚT in the interview below, and be sure check out his incredible portfolio here!

How long have you been an artist?

I’ve been drawing and painting for as long as I can remember, but only made it a profession after graduating as a Graphic Designer in 2005.

We use a lot of different techniques to make our beer - could you tell us a little bit about the techniques you use to create your work?

These days I mostly use my iPad Pro to illustrate, alternating between Procreate and Adobe Fresco, then finishing up on Photoshop. One consistent thing you can see throughout my work is the use of organic textures, I scan a lot of interesting things I find in the real world and apply them to my art as well as starting with a cohesive color palette that’s going to fit the project accordingly. I also love acrylic painting and screen printing when I can, so I try to bring those small imperfections like spatters and printing marks to the digital world.

How is approaching artwork for beer brands different than some of the other commissioned works you’ve done? Does your process change at all?

I don’t think the process changes much as I always give my best at every project I’ve ever taken. But being the beer advocate that I am, makes this project extra fun. I’ve always been a fan of the art on beer cans, especially those on the Dogfish Head catalog, Illustrators like Ryan Besch and Michael Hacker have done amazing work for the brand before, I feel like this is my opportunity to put my own twist on it.

You’ve worked with some great clients. Do you ever step back, pinch yourself, and think, “Wow, it’s really cool to be a part of this creative world?”

I do! I am truly blessed to have had the chance to work with these clients and being in this world, but my wishlist is still long and hope to have more opportunities to work with brands and musicians I admire, and even collaborate with fellow artists.

Who do you admire in the art world right now, past or present, and why?

This list is also big! But to mention a few, there’s an art collective called Broken Fingaz based in Israel. They’re work ranges from murals, installations, animations and graphic design. Love they way they approach their art in a satirical way, they’re use of color and style of illustration.

Always been a fan of Jen Stark’s mesmerizing work, love how she uses color and shapes to create an illusion of depth.

The Argentinian Jorge Alderete has also been a huge source of inspiration for me, he’s a multi-faceted artist who does illustration, photography and even plays the theremin with the band Sonido Gallo Negro. His use of thick border lines, bright colors and incredible compositions are what takes his work to a different level for me.

At Dogfish, we’ve learned to embrace the intersection of art (in liquid form) and business. Was that ever tough for you?

Let’s be real, business is not always fun, but when you are able to produce something with hard work, dedication and at the same time enjoy the process those lines start to blend and it becomes less business and more fun. Nothing more satisfying than seeing someone wearing a t-shirt I designed, or having one of my prints hanging at their home.

What’s the creative process? How do you work with the designers at Dogfish?

The process has ran extremely smooth with the Dogfish team. We usually meet virtually to go over the ingredients that the beer is going to have and collectively shoot out ideas about what this can could look like. After we set on the idea, it’s on me to go and get some sketches done for the main composition. Once approved it’s just a matter of inking and adding color. What I appreciate the most is the creative liberty and trust on my skill that the team gives me to come up with each design.

What’s your favorite Dogfish Miami beer?

So tough! But right now I have to say it’s Florida Marmalade, plus Cinthia Santos killed it with her artwork on the can!

What was your inspiration behind Dragonfruit Salad?

As soon as the team mentioned the name to me, my obvious and most immediate thought was a dragon, I knew I wanted to make this resembling a Chinese dragon. The ingredients are so bold and colorful I thought it would be awesome to make the dragon morph into all of these fruits. At the same time, this is Miami, so a bright blue sky and tropical feel was a given in terms vibe.

What can we expect to see in the remaining tArt Series beer releases?

I’m really excited for what’s to come! Expect to see more fun characters, Miami vibes, more Mamut and of course more delicious beer!

Click here for more of MAMÚT's work!