Collective Arts Brewing lands in Vancouver with cans, taps, and collabs with local artists

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      There’s a new player in Vancouver’s craft beer scene—and though this one doesn’t have roots in the city, you’d be mistaken for thinking otherwise.

      Collective Arts Brewing, which was founded and is headquartered in Hamilton, is the spot’s name, and, given its steadfast commitment to the intersection of beer and art, we suspect it won’t have any trouble winning over Vancouverites’ refined palates. “Collective Arts is about making really creative, quality beer and really immersing ourselves in the creative community, whether it’s visual art, street art, indie music, hip-hop,” says Toni Shelton, communications manager for the brewery, during a recent stop in town.

      Known for its flagship Ransack the Universe IPA and inventive, one-off releases guava-infused Goses and papaya-flavoured saisons, Collective Arts regularly partners with artists around the world by displaying their works on its cans. Since its launch in 2013, the brewery has featured 600-plus pieces of art by artists from over 40 countries on its vessels.

      In addition to the art, which ranges from fantastical images of woodland creatures to cartoonish interpretations of fruit, the cans include brief information about each artist and where and how they can be reached. The featured works rotate, with Collective Arts putting out an international call for submissions every four to six months. Shelton says that a number of artists who have had their work chosen for the cans have been able to secure more work, thanks to customers getting in touch with them through the information on the labels. “We really try to create a platform and vehicle to spread creativity,” she adds.

      For Collective Arts’ Vancouver launch, the brewery has collaborated with artists Tim Barnard, Patrick Wong, KAth Boake W., and Harry Tennant, as well as indie band Shred Kelly, to reveal a limited-edition four-can series of its Ransack Universe IPA. This is available at Legacy Liquor Store (1633 Manitoba Street), Brewery Creek Liquor Store (3045 Main Street), Firefly Fine Wines and Ales (2857 Cambie Street), and select locations of JAK’S Beer Wine Spirits (2658 Granville Street and 1445 East 41st Avenue).

      You can also find a rotating tap at Darby’s Public House (2001 Macdonald Street) and St. Augustine’s (2360 Commercial Drive). The Lamplighter Public House (92 Water Street) has Collective Arts’ Mash Up the Jam, a thirst-quenching dry-hop sour, on tap permanently.

      The Ontario-born brewery also hopes to partner with local breweries in the coming months to release a handful of collaborative suds. To start, it has a beer in the works with Delta’s Four Winds Brewing Company. “Some of the best craft brewers are from Vancouver and we want to play with those guys,” says Shelton. “It’s such a good community to be a part of.”

      This is the first time that Collective Arts is available in Vancouver. At the moment, it also has a presence in parts of Canada, the U.S., Italy, Spain, and Australia.

      Follow Lucy Lau on Twitter @lucylau.

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