The featured beer painting of the day is of Brawler Ale by Yards Brewing Company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Known as the pugilist ale, the Brawler is a fairly authentic English mild at 4.2% ABV, a true session brew. The label on the bottle, which I didn’t have, considering I was painting a draft pint right at the source, depicts a revolution era boxer battling the devil. I am particularly fond of this malt-forward, delicately hopped beer, and what better place to consume it than at the brewery in Philly! I sampled several beers at the tasting room while I painted this one, including the Revolution series and the signature IPA. All were very tasty. The ales of the revolution are modeled after historic recipes by America’s founders: George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. I don’t know of any other brewery that attempts to recreate these recipes. I have ties to the Brawler, as I painted it as a commission a few years back, and it was the first Philly beer I had ever consumed. That bottle was hand-delivered to Anchorage all the way from Philly. I like to taste what I paint, and won’t even put a painting in the Year of Beer Paintings series unless I have tried it, since I have to blog about it. The more I paint live in brewery tasting rooms, the more I’m starting to like it. The first time I ever did that was in Fairbanks, Alaska. People have been asking what my favorite beer is from the series, and I may have to say HooDoo IPA from Fairbanks. Mainly because it was the first time I painted beer live in a tasting room, and I was well received at the brewery. Yards reminded me of that occasion, so this may be my second favorite painting session. I felt in the zone as I listened to the buzz of a busy pub.
Cheers to the Pugilist Ale, I hope you don’t have to start a bar brawl before the beer is gone! Watch out because the devil doesn’t want to lose.
The original painting sold. You can purchase a limited-edition print, or a custom beer painting at my Etsy shop.
View the complete Year of Beer Paintings gallery.
Year of Beer 11.10. Brawler Ale by Yards Brewing Co. Oil on panel, 8″x10″.
