Gigantic Brewing in Portland has released a beer today that doubles as an actual scavenger hunt. Zest For Art is a bright, refreshing lemon lager, brewed as a collaboration between Gigantic, John's Marketplace and the Portland Art Museum for the museum's Pourtlandia Project, and released today during the museum's Free First Thursday celebration.
The beer itself is described as bursting with citrus character and built for sunny days, and Gigantic notes that longtime Portland beer fans might find it stirring up memories of Saxer Lemon Lager, a beer that quietly disappeared from the local scene years ago. After tasting their own creation, the Gigantic team says they found themselves asking the obvious question: why did lemon lager ever go away? Fair point, honestly. It is a simple, satisfying style that does not get nearly enough attention.
Where this release really stands out is the can art. The label was created by Portland artist Amy Ruppel and is built from a collage of yellows pulled directly from artworks in the Portland Art Museum's permanent collection. It is part art piece, part puzzle, inviting drinkers to visit the museum and try to spot the original works hidden inside the design. That is a genuinely clever way to blur the line between a beer release and a museum event, and it gives the can real staying power on a shelf beyond just looking nice.
Zest For Art is available starting today, with the official release happening at the Portland Art Museum itself, alongside a chance to meet the collaborators behind it. For anyone who likes their beer with a side of local culture, this is about as good a pairing as it gets.
A refreshing lemon lager built around real Portland history and real Portland art sounds like a genuinely fun way to spend a summer afternoon, gallery visit optional but strongly recommended.