Manor Hill Brewery Background and Evolution
Manor Hill Farm is situated on a 54-acre working farm in Ellicott City, Maryland. The scenic farm includes 14 acres of non-GMO corn, approximately 30 egg-laying chickens, several honeybee hives, 2 pygmy goats, and more than 20 free-range Angus cattle. Their garden produces fruits, vegetables, and herbs, which they sell along with their beef at their on-site seasonal farm stand.
Manor Hill Brewery began with a farm brewery license and has grown over 12 years into a destination venue, particularly valued during the COVID-19 pandemic for its outdoor socializing space. The brewery initially focused on distribution before opening a taproom, which is the reverse of the typical brewery model. The business is family-run, with Corey Mull and his wife managing daily operations, supported by a dedicated team. Their adaptability during the pandemic, such as shifting to outdoor gatherings, allowed the business to thrive even as traditional sales channels like bar sales declined.
Packaging and Label Design Strategy
Packaging and label design are central to Manor Hill’s brand identity, especially since their beers are widely distributed in Maryland, DC, and Delaware. The label features farm imagery, including line art derived from actual photos of their Black Angus cattle and pastures, to reinforce the farm aesthetic. Corey Mull, with a marketing background, handles all design work and has gradually added more brand panels and simple linear farm imagery to his label designs. The design balances brand visibility, sponsor recognition, and charity messaging within limited label space, using military-inspired fonts for their “I Got Your Six” Cold IPA and color schemes aligned with their charity partners. High-quality printing allows for detailed, compact elements like QR codes and logos.
I Got Your Six Beer: Origin, Mission, and Recipe Evolution
Brandon Miller, Lead Brewer and Marine Corps veteran, conceived the “I Got Your Six” beer to honor veterans and support relevant charitable causes. The name references the military phrase for “I’ve got your back.” The beer started as an American lager with red, white, and blue ingredients (red wheat malt, white flaked rice, blue corn) and was intended to evoke camaraderie among service members. Over eight years, the recipe evolved as hop blends changed, shifting from a lager to a cold IPA style to better use the Veterans’ Blend hops from Yakima Chief Hops. The beer is released annually around Veterans’ Day, with increasing batch sizes and distribution, and is closely tied to its charity partnerships, reflecting both personal and organizational commitment to mental health and veteran support.
Charity Partnership and Community Impact
Manor Hill’s charitable focus for “I Got Your Six” has centered on Stop Soldier Suicide, a charity chosen for its focus on mental health and personal relevance to the Mull family; a partnership that continues to influence label design and messaging, with proceeds from the beer supporting the cause. This year marks an important evolution: Manor Hill has expanded the initiative to include Warrior Canine Connection as part of the 2026 “I Got Your Six” project. Based in Boyds, Maryland, WCC brings a local, hands-on dimension to the partnership, and its mission is training service dogs to support veteran mental health. This aligns closely with the beer’s purpose. WCC has already been deeply engaged, attending Manor Hill’s brew day for this year’s batch, and the organization will bring its service dogs on site for Saturday of the November release event. A portion of proceeds from on-site sales during the release weekend will benefit WCC directly, alongside continued support for Stop Soldier Suicide.
The brewery also collaborates with suppliers who contribute ingredients and packaging, increasing the donation potential as production grows — partners like Smurfit Westrock on packaging and rahrBSG on malts and grains have supported the project’s expansion alongside its charitable partners. The annual release event fosters community among veterans and supporters, providing both financial support and a sense of belonging, which is seen as vital for mental health. With WCC’s involvement and its “adorable doggos,” as Corey put it, the event is set to broaden its appeal and reach even further this year. The initiative has grown in visibility through media coverage and social media, reaching new audiences annually.
Production Planning, Label Logistics, and Distribution
Manor Hill has developed a highly organized production schedule, planning brew calendars a year in advance to ensure timely label delivery and smooth operations. The brewery works closely with label suppliers and rarely needs rush orders because of this foresight. The brewery adjusts batch sizes and label quantities annually based on demand, carrying over any surplus labels to the next year. Distribution covers Maryland, DC, and Delaware, with the beer typically selling out within a month of release. The brewery lacks precise sell-through metrics, but responds to customer inquiries and demand by increasing production each year.
Customer & Community Response
The “I Got Your Six” beer receives strong support from both regulars and new customers, especially veterans. The annual release event is highly anticipated, with veterans reaching out for release dates. Media coverage and social media partnerships with suppliers have expanded the beer’s reach, bringing in new audiences each year. This year’s addition of WCC’s service dogs at the release event is expected to draw even broader community interest, adding an emotional, tactile dimension to the cause beyond the beer itself. The beer’s message and cause resonate with the community, fostering belonging and support. Feedback suggests the beer feels more meaningful than simple gestures because it supports a cause and brings people together.
“Their mission and this beer’s mission line up perfectly; and their dogs are pretty hard not to love.” — Corey Mull
Advice for Cause-Driven Limited Releases & Label Design
Corey Mull advises other breweries to keep label design clear and minimal for cause-driven releases, since shelf space and consumer attention are limited. Prioritize essential information, and use QR codes to direct consumers to more details or donation pages. The “I Got Your Six” label’s QR code directs users to donation pages for its charity partners. The key is to balance storytelling with simplicity, keeping the message clear and impactful without overwhelming the consumer; a principle that becomes even more important as the project grows to include multiple charitable beneficiaries and supplier partners.