Mixing beer and creativity is new initiative The Art Series at Newstead Brewing Co., which showcases up-and-coming local artists at the brewery’s Milton location alongside a custom brew. The concept is simple – artists are given a blank can to design however they wish, before the brewers take the artwork and use it as inspiration for the beer itself. Kicking off the first edition of the series is Brisbane street artist and illustrator Sodamouf. The name might be unfamiliar at first, but the local artist’s signature illustrations are sure to spark recollection, with various locations around the city hosting their curious and colourful characters for a number of years now.

For The Art Series at Newstead Brewing Co., Sodamouf has designed a distinctive piece to feature on a limited-edition brew, with 90% of the can sleeve covered in eye-catching artwork. The beer itself promises to be as alluring as the artist behind the custom can, featuring a sweet and fizzy soda ale with sherbet undertones and natural hibiscus colouring, giving the beverage a slight pink hue. The Art Series at Newstead Brewing Co. is set to launch on Friday November 8 at 6:00 pm, with the first 32 people through the door scoring a free can of the new brew. Attendees of the arts and craft beer celebration will also have opportunities to purchase individual pieces of art, custom designed T-shirts and see Sodamouf’s first solo exhibition in five years. As for the beer, the 5000-litre batch will be available at both Newstead brewpubs and also in cans at local, independent retailers from Monday November 11.