Art and beer are old drinking buddies. From conceiving awesomely artistic labels to displaying art in taprooms to sponsoring important contests like Founders Brewing Co. and ArtPrize, the creative spirit has long been supported by the craft part of craft beer. Here’s another great example of beer and art: Milwaukee’s Lakefront Brewery recently turned 71 used stainless steel beer kegs into a public sculpture. Attached to the northeast corner of Lakefront Brewery’s Commerce street building, the kegs create a tornado and each keg is lit with two bands of LEDs (able to be programmed by pretty much any color combination possible). Towering over 40 ft, this “Kegnado” will definitely draw your attention.
From the press release:
“The river and the people of Milwaukee have been very good to us over the years. In trying to give back, our brewery has built one of the most unique and beautiful art pieces that any brewery in the World has ever built,” stated Lakefront Brewery Cofounder and President Russ Klisch. “It’s been years in the making.”
Who thought this craziness up? The original idea come from Milwaukee’s own Retailworks Inc. — a branding, design and consulting firm specializing in retail, corporate and hospitality spaces. Lakefront is also quick to note the installation was built by local craftsmen.
Lakefront is currently programming the lights for an opening ceremony and other upcoming events and holidays. The Kegnado’s opening is scheduled for September 12 at 6:30 p.m. Lakefront’s food truck, the CurdWagon (mmmm), will be around serving up interesting-sounding “neon rainbow cheese curds” and the Lakefront Beer Hall will be tapping a new collab with Cleveland-fave Great Lakes Brewing Co. That collab is called Coast to Costa, and it’s a coffee blonde ale made with Costa Rican coffee beans.
The Kegnado ceremony deets
Lakefront Brewery’s Kegnado Ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 12th with the lighting at 7:15 p.m. at 1872 North Commerce Street, Milwaukee.
“We hope this unique project will spur other luminous art instillations along the river and encourage people and guests to stroll, kayak or boat up and down the Riverwalk,” Klisch continued.
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