A few months ago, I was asked if I'd like to brew a beer inspired by art at the Portland Art Museum. As brewers of so many seasonal, one off beers, we're always looking for outside inspiration in the development of a recipe. This idea was particularly intriguing to me. Though I've never been good with paint or brush art has always been an important part of my life. My wife has an art history degree, I've dabble with photography eventually finding that brewing was my best artistic expression.

One day, I was joined by brewers from Lompoc and Lucky Lab on a private tour of the museum by their staff. We had a great time looking at the collection at PAM and talking about how the works might be interpreted into beer. Sometimes it  was a stretch, others were more straightforward.

I chose a WPA work by Arthur Runquist called Homesteaders. I was intersted in focusing on a WPA piece and this one just seemed to make the most sense to me. You chance to try the beer and see the art comes on September 19th- the same day as Laurelfest. Should be lots of fun and I hope you'll make time to join us at both events.- Chad