THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15

Beer Release: 5pm

Event Start Time: 7pm

Background

Like stouts and porters, the Brown Ale is rooted in the British brewing tradition, and like many British ales, this is a very malty beer. Throughout history, the Brown Ale has gone through several transformations, but the style we recognize today has been consistently produced in Great Britain since the early twentieth century, when it was first produced as a bottled product.

What’s in a Name?

The early twentieth century was a time of dramatic change: on the sociopolitical stage, in technology, and in the art world. While Europe was experiencing increasing unrest and tension as it headed toward the First World War, artists in this period were likewise shifting from the staid and refined Realism that emerged in the late-nineteenth century to the more chaotic and iconoclastic Modernism that captured the spirit of this era.

While all this transformation was taking place, a British painter named Anna Airy was making a name for herself in the art world. While her style may have been falling out of fashion, her technical mastery was undeniable, and she was able to paint several landmark works during the First World War that capture life in factories, particularly of working women who supported the war effort.

At this same time, the Brown Ale reached the height of its popularity, like Ms. Airy, and both have unfortunately started to become lost to the annals of history. With this small-batch Brown Ale, we try to celebrate both the artist and ale, and the small comforts that Brits were able to find during an unprecedented time of tumult.

Launch Party Details:

To kick of our 2024 10x10 Event Series, we are welcoming artist Jesse Tobin-McCauley and DJ H2GO to celebrate the release of Astonishing Ms. Airy, our first small-release beer. Jesse will painting ten different paintings, which will all be donated to the Berkshire Arts Association fundraiser, which will be held the following Thursday at The Clocktower building in Pittsfield.

Jesse Tobin-McCauley is also the Pittsfield-based artist who designs all of our can art, and we are so thrilled to team up in the taproom for this live event.