The Joy of Beer Choirs: Singing and Sipping Across America
Joe Phillips, affectionately known as “G.I. Joe,” is a familiar face at Corner Point Brewing Company in North Berwick, Maine. However, on a particular sunny Saturday in October, Joe found himself not at the bar but amidst the harmonies of the Seacoast Beer Choir. This chorus, a branch of the national Beer Choir initiative founded in 2015, brings together the warmth of group singing and the conviviality of craft brew culture, a perfect marriage for any beer enthusiast. While Joe’s church music days are behind him, this revival of community singing reignites his passion for melody, now shared over a pint.
Beer Choir, with chapters cropping up in diverse locations across the nation, melds the tradition of choral singing with the contemporary craft beer scene. As breweries increasingly become community hubs, these choirs turn taprooms into lively concert halls where participation is celebrated over perfection. Singers utilize a 50-song hymnal, ensuring anyone, regardless of their vocal prowess, can join the joyous chorus.
Crafting Community Through Song and Ale
Acquired in 2019 by Adam Reinwald, who also leads the thriving Minneapolis-St. Paul chapter, Beer Choir events foster a sense of community akin to those spontaneous pub sing-alongs seen in Europe. These events, often scheduled on quieter brewery nights, offer two hours of singing punctuated by sips of local brews. Much like a warm embrace, Beer Choir invites all to partake in its earthy blend of song and camaraderie, an echo of centuries-old traditions from the British Isles and Europe.
Another exciting venture in the world of craft beer and song is Whateverandeveramen, led by Brad Pierson in Ohio. This ensemble breaks the classical music mold by inviting audiences to become impromptu performers, enveloping spaces with sea shanties and Irish folk tunes. Their unique format, which often finds its stage in craft breweries like Batch Brewing in Detroit and Lovelady Brewing in Nevada, champions interaction over formality, making beer and music an inclusive experience.
Breweries as Community Stages
Pierson notes the transformation of breweries into modern-day communal spaces where art and social interaction thrive. While such performances often require tickets, some, like the folk-rooted Pub Sing! at Four Phantoms Brewing in Massachusetts, maintain an organic, open format. Every second Sunday, local singers gather to share songs without sheet music or accompaniment, embodying the spirit of casual community gathering.
Nicole Singer, one of the organizers of Pub Sing!, emphasizes the camaraderie and shared experience that singing in a brewery setting offers. There’s no audience-performer divide—just friends uniting over craft beer and song. Such initiatives are a testament to the role of breweries as cultural spaces, fostering a sense of community and making them vibrant destinations on any beer tourism itinerary.
Breweries are naturally inclined to celebrate both craft and community, so it is no surprise they have become the perfect stage for these harmonious gatherings. Beer lovers across the country are finding new ways to connect and rediscover their voices, all while enjoying the finest local ales.
Sing Out and Sip On: The Beer Choir Movement
The rise of the Beer Choir and similar ventures illustrates a broader cultural movement that values connection over consumption and community over performance. Whether through structured events like Beer Choir or the spontaneous tunes at your local brewpub, these musical gatherings remind us that craft beer culture is as much about the people as it is about the pint.
BreweriesNearMe.us celebrates this intersection of craft, culture, and community, offering beer enthusiasts a guide to discovering the best breweries and their unique stories. Whether you’re a seasoned chorister or simply looking to enjoy some local brews, these events provide an inviting path to exploring the rich tapestry of flavors and friendships woven into the fabric of America’s craft beer scene.
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