Artistry of craft beers tasted, explored at TPAC’s “The Art of Beer” April 7
Tweet March 29, 2011
The Tennessee Performing Arts Center is concluding its four-part “art of” tasting series with “The Art of Beer,” 6-8 p.m., Thursday, April 7, at the War Memorial Auditorium. The educational wine, spirits and beer tasting series is sponsored by Lipman Brothers.
The “Art of Beer” two-hour tasting of selected high gravity beers will be led by a representative from each of the three featured craft breweries: Chimay, Yazoo and Abita. High Gravity Beer is a long-standing European tradition and is growing in popularity in the U.S. The term is used to designate specialty craft beers with an increased gravity “pull” in the fermentation process. They are higher in alcohol because they contain more sugar and other ingredients that are used to create complex, flavorful and unique beers. High gravity beers are meant to be sipped and appreciated, even paired with foods like wine. Light refreshments will be served, including an array of award-winning cheeses courtesy of Cabot Creamery of Vermont, hot dogs and brats from The Dog of Nashville, and pizza provided by the Mellow Mushroom.
The Chimay Brewery is a Belgian brewery founded in the Scourmont Abbey in 1862. Its Trappist monks still produce the rare, true Trappist beers in much the same way as they did 150 years ago. Profits from the sale of Chimay beers go to the financial support of the monastery and the less fortunate and disenfranchised of the world. James Williams, National Sales Manager will present Chimay Red, White and Blue from their portfolio.
Yazoo Brewing Company, founded in 2003 by Vanderbilt University graduate Linus Hall, is the local favorite with craft brew loyalists worldwide. The Yazoo Brewing Company is located in Nashville not far from TPAC, in The Gulch. Linus and Yazoo’s Sales and Marketing Manager, Neil McCormick, will present the local favorite, Yazoo Sue.
Abita Brewing Company, located 30 miles north of New Orleans in Abita Springs, Louisiana, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. It is the oldest and largest craft brewery in the Southeast. Scott Hamil is the Brewery Representative and will offer the famous Jockamo and Andygator.
Held on Tuesdays or Thursdays in historic War Memorial Auditorium, “The Art of” series offers the perfect way to learn more about wine, spirits and beer in a casual, non-intimidating environment.
Tickets are $25, with all proceeds benefiting TPAC Education, and may be purchased online at tpac.org/theartof, at the TPAC Box Office downtown or at the new TPAC Box Office in The Mall at Green Hills, or by calling 615-782-4040.
(Due to their higher alcohol levels, high-gravity beers are only available at wine and spirits stores in Tennessee.)
Over three decades, the Tennessee Performing Arts Center has welcomed more than 11 million audience members and served more than 1.5 million students and educators since 1983 with performances at TPAC, resources for teachers, classroom residencies, and enrichment programs for adults. Founded in 1980, TPAC serves several hundred thousand audience members each year with the annual series of HCA/TriStar Broadway at TPAC, a variety of special engagements, and the productions of the three resident artistic companies—Nashville Ballet, Nashville Opera, and Tennessee Repertory Theatre. For more information, visit www.tpac.org
