The Collective Arts Brewing Company (https://collectiveartsbrewing.com/)is in Hamilton Ontario, Canada.....but don't hold that against them! ;)
Admittedly, I have friends who are greater proponents of this very popular and trendsetting brewery. They follow them on twitter and other social media and send me pics of the stuff that has not yet even hit stores. In general, I enjoy the concept of using actual art to brand your beer and know the value of supporting art in general as far as capturing another target market. So they are smart and art is worth supporting. Their beer is definitely good but I personally would not rate the my favourite on beer alone. Absolutely in the top 10 though which is saying quite a lot if you have been a follower of mine over the months and years.
Take this piece of marketing for example. Artfully placed cans side by side to give you an idea of how the brand and art work together. Not spectacular but distinctive font. Goofy, entertaining and psychedelic character that is even hanging the heavy metal horns. All of this to herald the coming of a unique IPA that is dedicated to an event they have branded and sponsor called Liquid Arts Fest.....held in the summer.
See? Everything there is done right. As for the beer, I forget what it tasted like and might have to check back on my own blog to remember. I don't remember it being bad so it must have been good. Which is good by my standards.
Collective Arts that has made it into Zeke's face over the last while
IPA No. 8 - Double IPA with Simcoe, Moutere and Columbus hops - I am actually just finishing one of these as I assemble this expose and took this shot not 20 minutes ago. I poured it like an American to add my own touch of art which I feel I have achieved if I can bring the head right to the rim of the glass in one shot. Anything above the rim is just sport. Hazy and bold as usual for a Double IPA which is sport hopped with the normal Simcoe and Columbus hops but is it the obscure Moutere that makes me wonder how deep these guys have gone to find something odd or delicious. This one tastes like another and I may snap up some more before they are gone.
As per the website - "Our biggest and possibly our most beautiful (we’ll let you decide though) IPA in the Series to date. IPA #8 is double dry hopped with Simcoe, Moutere and Columbus hops, so you should expect a cloudy bright pour and intense fruit, dank citrus and pine notes. Best enjoyed as soon as you get it home. ABV 8.0% IBU N/A"
The art is courtesy of an artist named Chris Morin from Saskatchewan (which many of my aAmerican friends find it funny to say.) I find it has nothing to do with the beer but may have to lighten up a little on my marketing consultant and just enjoy it anyhow for how playful it is. CHRIS MORIN - "Working in-between the digital, print and adhesive realms, Chris Morin has exhibited work in several galleries and festivals across Canada, and has been published in numerous local and national publications including The National Post, The Toronto Star and Papirmasse."
Surround Sound Double IPA - For more detail on this one, you can hit my post from Saturday I made from my chair using Partiko. @zekepickleman/double-double-srn4pynw I love me some New England Style IPA with Simcoe and Amarillo hops and a double IPA really kicks me in the face when done right. This is one I picked up after one of my keener friends send me a pic after discovering the store had it, but it hadn't even been put out on the shelves yet. Pretty hipster right? I picked up a couple for fun and it was seriously good. Had to get it again.
This one pleases my marketing half though. This is a serious beer and very bold on not only its hops but alcohol content. It really does roar at you which makes the art rather appropriate. The artists are Sandy & Steve Pell and are about a 35-minute drive from here in Kitchener, ON, Canada. Neat piece with good contrast despite the predominantly dark colours. I wish they had have expounded a bit more on the website about the artists or story behind the piece.
**IPA NO. 6 - with Amarillo & Wai-iti hops - These guys sure love their Amarillo hops don't they? This is a throw back to the summer when I kinfa dig on the fruit IPAs for that extra false sense of refreshment. I remember buying only 1 of these expecting it to be annoyingly peach. I remember heading back to get more because it was pleasingly peach and really damn tasty.
Checking back on the website doesn't seem to have any trace of neither beer nor artist. Sort of a shame as you may reserve some website real estate for the artists you were supposed to be supporting regardless of the fact people cannot buy it anymore. It was a strange, fat, happy kinda beer though with a nice hops that managed the peach taste well so the art worked. Hopefully back next summer for sailing season.
If you are interested in what is to come for this brewery, thirst for a sneak peak on what I will be reviewing in coming weeks, or are one of my hipster friends who need to like it before it is cool, here it is. That image looks rather delicious and this link https://collectiveartsbrewing.com/winter-beer-lineup/ will get you as excited as me.
