Third Annual Art of Beer 

The Art of Beer, which is a beer and food tasting event with live music, has proven to be the NACC’s premier annual fund raising event. The attendance is anticipated to be between 600 and 800 people far exceeding last year’s attendance of 400. We have significantly increased the attendance each year since the initial year in 2007 with approximately 200 attendees in that inaugural year. 

In addition to excellent micro brewed beers and scrumptious food pairings there will be two live bands playing at the event. This year we have The Lakeside Blues Band and The Twigz performing alternating sets of music on two floors. We will also have an art sale and auction, as well as, a number of raffles with great prizes. 

In the past we have had a cross section of beer and food vendors from the Western New York area, which included the following: 

Mr. Good Bar is bringing 2 new Firkins.

Pearl Street Grille & Brewery   

Shorty’s Sports Grille

Flying Bison Brewery    

Consumer’s Beverage    Orchard Grill

Buffalo Brew Pub     The Brickyard

Southern Tier Brewery    Mister B’s

Ellicottville Brew Company    Antonio’s

Alternative Brews     DiCamillo Bakery

Try It Distributing     Buzzy’s Pizza

Certo Brothers Distributing    Como Restaurant 

Click Here for past years Photo Gallery

Say the words “Art of Beer” and what comes to mind?  Two strands of thought, one supposes...

The first, of course, centers around the idea that brewing–or at least craft brewing–is a form of artistry, and beer a form of artistic expression.  Mass-produced beers may be made in a factory-like setting, but the ethos of American craftbrewing is not much different from that of the artists and craftsmen at the NACC; the highest quality standards for process and ingredients, the desire for self-expression through one’s work, and the attempt to combine historic preservation with experimentation and innovation are hallmarks of both.  Learning more about how microbrewers create their art is part of what beer festivals are all about!

The second way of looking at “Art of Beer” is a little more literal-minded.  There is a lot of visual artwork associated with the packaging, marketing and advertising of beer.  From lithographs of brewery buildings from the late nineteenth century to brewery paraphernalia of the early twentieth century to the 21^st century fine-art label designs of Ralph Steadman and others, art has always been a part of the face the beer industry shows to the world.

The “Art of Beer” will feature a selection of representative craft brews from the Greater Niagara region, served in the halls of our National Historic Registry building alongside exhibits of beer-related artwork and memorabilia.  Festival-goers will sample cuisine from both neighboring “Little Italy” restaurants and local brewpubs and specialty beer bars.