Art was hanging on the walls and painted on the cans at the opening night of the 10th annual Vancouver Craft Beer Week held Friday at Vancouver’s Beaumont Studios.
Cans were the vessel of choice as VCBW celebrated its aluminum anniversary in the funky non-profit art gallery that includes more than 30 working artist studios as well as gallery spaces and dance halls where the party can get revved up.
In honour of the artsy vibe, we sent reporter, beer enjoyer and slightly buzzed art critic Andy Prest to compile a ranking of the coolest can designs on offer at the event.
As craft beer brewing has grown and flourished, so too has they eye-catching art many brewers use to help their products leave the liquor store cooler for a private showing in some lucky family’s fridge.
Here, in tweet form, are the results of this very scientific, beer-reviewed study:
At the @VCBW opening night at @BeaumontStudio. Real hip, back alley party vibe. Given the artsy feel and the evening’s focus on aluminum, I think I’ll hunt for the event’s coolest can. You with me?#coolestcancontest pic.twitter.com/lTWITFQhoj
— Andy Prest (@Sports_Andy) June 1, 2019
This is what I started off with. A Strawberry Hibiscus Milkshake IPA from Russell Brewing. It’s lovely! Tastes like an organic strawberry creamsicle from the Shipyards Night Market. But this is a #coolcancontest, so in that regard, 6/10. Cute, but a little basic, right? pic.twitter.com/RypwJHZkOH
— Andy Prest (@Sports_Andy) June 1, 2019So here’s Phillips Brewing wooing the Raptors vote in the #coolcancontest. 7/10, I say. Score goes up if they win the final. pic.twitter.com/HN7fgwWNLG
— Andy Prest (@Sports_Andy) June 1, 2019Short #coolcancontest interlude — this studio space is awesome. Just bought art from a lady as she was painting. Now talking to a blacksmith who made these knives. @VCBW pic.twitter.com/IkcU9NM9JS
— Andy Prest (@Sports_Andy) June 1, 2019Back to the #coolcancontest, here’s one from @wildeyebrewing, the latest entry into #northvan’s exploding brewery scene. Pretty decent dark lager. Cool can design. My North Shore bias bumps it to 8/10. Fight me. pic.twitter.com/x8HR2Cg1kA
— Andy Prest (@Sports_Andy) June 1, 2019The mixed drinks are in the house. I love me a good Moscow Mule. 7/10 for the fighting donkeys. pic.twitter.com/ibcOv2bLIj
— Andy Prest (@Sports_Andy) June 1, 2019Talisman is a a very solid beer. A go-to in times of indecision. Cool design too. 8/10. #coolestcancontest pic.twitter.com/hDImWEIShH
— Andy Prest (@Sports_Andy) June 1, 2019Getting serious now. Lighthouse Ghost Ship Hazy IPA. Killer attention to detail in that artwork. Look at that skull!! It’s gonna disappear that ship!!! 9/10. #coolestcancontest pic.twitter.com/xVFXpalnAs
— Andy Prest (@Sports_Andy) June 1, 2019Ok, brass tacks time. These three are all from Hamilton’s Collective Arts. It’s kind of cheating, because they get honest-to-God artists to design their cans. But good lord, these are wicked cans. 10/10 #coolcancontest pic.twitter.com/MO5IxiRCtC
— Andy Prest (@Sports_Andy) June 1, 2019This has got to be winner. My brother calls it Three-Eyed-Raven meets Great Gatsby. Creepy as hell, and beautiful. Well done Collective Arts. You’ve got the artsiest can at @VCBW opening night. 11/10. #coolcancontest pic.twitter.com/zuc5ivb21F
— Andy Prest (@Sports_Andy) June 1, 2019Vancouver Craft Beer Week wraps up this Saturday and Sunday with the VCBW Festival at the PNE Fairgrounds.
