Collective Arts & The Alliance: Unity Makes Strength

In a craft beer scene where there are dozens of really excellent beers being made by a variety of breweries, both bricks and mortar and contract, it is difficult to do something to stand out. It is also daunting to think about doing something to help out others, when you are probably committing most of your energy to just making enough beer. So that is why I find what Collective Arts is doing to be such a cool and refreshing example of how you can run a business.

So lovely

So lovely

I’ll be honest, when I read their introductory press release when they launched I was skeptical. They said they wanted to work within the arts community, to bring exposure to up and coming artists of every variety. The plan was to use artwork on their labels (which can then be scanned using the mobile app blippar, sending the user to a website featuring information on the artist), and also connect their beer events to arts events. I liked the sound of the idea, but wasn’t really sure if they would put the effort into making it work

When the first line of Rhyme and Reason Pale Ale came out, I happily noted that the labels were not just nice, but beautiful. I was also quite pleased with the beer, which makes sense, as it was made by Ryan Morrow, who is killing it over at Nickel Brook. So I actually sought out some bottles when I heard the second release of labels was coming out. The second release has 75 different labels (!) featuring painters, musicians, photographers, designers, sculptors and more. The call for submissions for the third release is now done and judging is starting.

To celebrate and to continue in their mission to support great artists, Collective Arts partnered with Spazio Dell’Arte and got Montrealer Fred Caron to curate a show of 12 underground artists, 6 from Toronto and 6 from Montreal, called The Alliance: Unity Makes Strength. They did a mini-release of labels for their Rhyme and Reason Pale Ale and Saint of Circumstance Golden Ale featuring the artists from the show (which will be available at the LCBO in limited quantities in July, along with the full third release).

From the Mini-Release. Photo by Emma McIntyre / www.emmamcintyre.com.

From the Mini-Release
Emma McIntyre / www.emmamcintyre.com

 

The artists are: Bryan BeyungLindsay Campbell, Mathieu Connery aka 500mJamie LawsonLabronaKathryn MacNaughtonPeru 143Jon Todd, WhatIsAdamBruno SmokyNimit MalaviaFred Caron.

The launch was on Tuesday, and the show runs at Spazio Dell’Arte from May 21-24. The launch party was lovely, with people from the brewery, the gallery and some of the artists showing in attendance. In addition to the artwork and beer, there was live music and ridiculously delicious food from Hot Bunzz (who you need to seek out. I don’t know what their secret is, but it’s a good one. Those buns are incredible).

The Alliance Launch. Photo by Emma McIntyre / www.emmamcintyre.com.

The Alliance Launch
Emma McIntyre / www.emmamcintyre.com

If you’re in the Riverside/Leslieville area this weekend, make sure you head down to Spazio Dell’Arte (400 Eastern Ave #201) and check out the show, it’s open to the public. And make sure you keep an eye out for Collective Arts beers at the LCBO. They’re hard to miss; they really are beautiful.

http://collectiveartsbrewing.com/ @collectivebrew

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