I like the artwork depicted on many microbrewery labels. In fact, one of the things I hope to do when I attend the beer tasting at the Telluride Blues and Brews Festival is to pick up an assortment of microbrewery posters. I already have a few from an Arizona microbrewery beer tasting I attended a few years ago. What will I do with these posters? Funny you should ask. One option I’m considering is cleaning up the third-car portion of my garage, turning it into a workshop, and hanging my posters there. I wouldn’t necesarily do any work in the workshop, but it would be a place to hang my posters. Another thought is that I’ll be turning my living room into a gameroom eventually – whenever I’ve saved up enough money to purchase a pool table (wonder if I could fit a foosball table in there as well? a dartboard maybe?). In that instance I may frame my posters (gotta be somewhat tasteful here) and hang them up in the gameroom. Now, before you go thinking I’m crazy for turning the living room (also the entry way) into a gameroom, keep in mind that in most middle-class, fairly new homes in Arizona, this is the only place for it. (Watching TV, sitting on the couch and reading, etc. is done in the family room towards the rear of the house.)
Now I’m curious, who else here likes microbrewery art? My stipulation is that, if you’re not familiar with microbrewery art, you check out various microbrewery web sites before posting a final opinion. Also, I welcome any suggestions as to where else I may hang my posters. Keep in mind that I’m 30 years old and I live in a house. (Sometimes it sucks to grow up). I think I know the Teeming Millions well enough to where I can guess what manny of the reactions will be; it’ll be interesting to see the response.
I realize that with my tastes and attitude, I may remain single for the rest of my life. But, at least I don’t have any NASCAR shrines around the house.
Oh yeah… put Tabernash in there as well. 'course, Lefthand and Tabernash are all one these days, so I can count 'em both together. I dunno if it counts as art, but the big red Lefthand logo is my fav.
Lately it seems as if I can be found at the Lefthand Tasting room several evenings a week. You know it’s bad when you know all the regulars. Keep in mind, this is not a bar per se. It’s a small room where you can come, sample the beers, buy a pint if you are so inclined, or buy a growler of fresh beer. No seating, no food, nothing but your friendly Lefthand employees saying “Have you tried our new seasonal? How 'bout the nitro Porter?” Heaven…
BTW, they’re keeping tabs of where their nifty round white stickers with the big red Left Hand logo show up around the world. If you happen to have one of 'em stuck to your fridge, or managed to put one on the local Budweiser truck, can you take a picture and send it to me? I could probably leverage it for a free pint or two.
If anyone knows the whereabouts of a brewery with a seal (harbor or harp, I’m not sure) as its label art (I think it was called Smuttynose and somewhere in New Hampshire!), PLEASE let me know! I received a six-pack a couple years ago when I was visiting friends in New England, and I want to get more of their brew (if they are still in existence), not to mention the cool t-shirts. I have tried directory assistance and the internet, but both have been fruitless. Needless to say, the label was really cool with a big puppy-eyed seal staring back.
Canadian microbreweries have some pretty cool illustration and graphic design. Big Rock Brewery (Calgary) is one of my favorites, although Big Rock has expanded so much in the last few years that it may not be considered a microbrew any more. Some other favorites are the Granville Island Brewing Co. in Vancouver, and the Shaftsbury Brewing Co. Not sure where this is located, but I believe it is somewhere on the Canadian west coast.
I don’t know where you’re from, but I’ve seen Smuttynose around here in Arlington VA and DC. They get around.
Ah, growlers!!! I may ask for one for my birthday from Capital City… Mrs. O would just loooooooove me for that. laughs
As for the OP, Strainger, the Rock Creek Brewery has some decent stuff, altho’ no posters as of yet. But hey, why post art on your walls when you can wear it? So let me know when you get the whole shebang set up out there. I wanna come break it in
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Olentzero *
**Damn, screech-owl, you couldn’t have looked very hard for it **
I looked! I tried that! For some reason I couldn’t access the site (not found)!!! But I love you anyway for helping me!!! I am so happy, and it beats the heck out of Genessee Cream Ale (then again, anything does)! Thank you!
BTW, Florida doesn’t have Smuttynose. We have orange and grapefruit wine (not too bad, actually). Next time I drive up to New England, I’ll bring some by!
Athena, Lefthand is going to be at the Blues and Brewfest. I’ll have to stop by their booth and try to score some goods. If I played my cards right, I could probably get one of their stickers on the outside of a commercial aircraft. I don’t know how I’d get a picture of it though.
Olentzero, you’re welcome to ccome over and break the game room in, although it’s going to be a while since I still have some $aving up to do. In the meantime, I’ll just gather up some decor.
Thanks for the links everyone. The thing I like about the Colorado microbreweries is the mountain biking/climbing/outdoor themes on their labels, posters and T-shirts. Next I’ll need to head Northwest to try to score some posters with a fishing theme.
Damn, isn’t anyone going to chime in about what a tacky bastard I am?
And I don’t even drink–but I do like the neat artwork that they come up with. Everytime I go out of town, I check ahead for the brewpubs/micros and scout out the t-shirt situation. I like souvenir t-shirts, but I like ones that have something more than just a solid color and some generic letters pasted on them.
check out Boston Beer Works (across the street from Fenway Park - Kenmore stop on the Green Line). They have some pretty neat t-shirts. You might find one or two for your collection.
