Fourth Annual 

Art of Beer 

Say the words “Art of Beer” and what comes to mind?  Two strands of thought, one supposes...

The first, of course, centers around the idea that brewing–or at least craft brewing–is a form of artistry, and beer a form of artistic expression.  Mass-produced beers may be made in a factory-like setting, but the ethos of American craftbrewing is not much different from that of the artists and craftsmen at the NACC; the highest quality standards for process and ingredients, the desire for self-expression through one’s work, and the attempt to combine historic preservation with experimentation and innovation are hallmarks of both.  Learning more about how microbrewers create their art is part of what beer festivals are all about!

The second way of looking at “Art of Beer” is a little more literal-minded.  There is a lot of visual artwork associated with the packaging, marketing and advertising of beer.  From lithographs of brewery buildings from the late nineteenth century to brewery paraphernalia of the early twentieth century to the 21^st century fine-art label designs of Ralph Steadman and others, art has always been a part of the face the beer industry shows to the world.

The “Art of Beer” will feature a selection of representative craft brews from the Greater Niagara region, served in the halls of our National Historic Registry building alongside exhibits of beer-related artwork and memorabilia.  Festival-goers will sample cuisine from both neighboring “Little Italy” restaurants and local brewpubs and specialty beer bars.