The Siloam Springs Center for the Arts is hosting the first Home Brew Showcase in an effort to raise funds for a place to call home.
This year's event will be held at the Courtyard Event Center in downtown Siloam Springs from 2 to 5 p.m. May 11. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the Art of Home Brewers Showcase and Fundraiser Facebook page.
The Home Brew Showcase is the first of several events the SSCFA is hosting to raise money for a building and bring awareness for the arts. Other fundraisers include Shakespeare in the Park on June 22, Battle of the Bands on Aug. 3, a fundraiser breakfast in September and a Christmas dinner theater in December.
The organization has its eye on the M.E. Gaither Mill building at 201 N. College St. The SSCFA needs to raise $200,000 by Oct. 31 to purchase it, said Shawn Hunter, SSCFA president.
Through various fundraisers, the organization hopes to raise at least $20,000 to put toward the building, Hunter said. Grants and community support have helped the organization work toward achieving their goal, she said.
The Home Brew Festival was born from home brewing roots already established in Northwest Arkansas, said Kolin Blakely, vice president for SSCFA. The Brewers of Siloam Springs was a community of home brewers that brought to light some of the local flavors that can be used in craft beer, and Blakely reached out to former members and others in Northwest Arkansas to participate in this year's competition.
There are currently 10 teams slated to compete, Blakely said. Teams are competing for a fellow brewers award, a people's choice award and a beer critics' award, awarded by a panel of judges, he said.
Jack McAuliffe, who is recognized as starting the first craft brewery in the country in 1976, will be an honorary judge, Blakely said.
"Beer is a gift from God to mankind," said Ron Drake, competitor for Bearded Duck, a Siloam Springs team. "Brewing gives us the opportunity to share in God's gift to all that appreciate great beer."
Drake and team member Matt Orcutt haven't brewed in about three years, but they're looking forward to taking part in something they love doing, Drake said.
"It's almost like appreciating a great chef," Drake said. "You can add seasonal ingredients based on personal taste."
James Coody, a local bartender, is looking forward to applying his current knowledge in beer and supporting something like the SSCFA.
"I have always valued the companionship that can be found behind a proper pint," Coody said. "I've always supported and wanted Siloam to have a larger presence with theater and live arts. Any chance to support my town in such a positive way that can help bring even more culture to our community is always something that I support.
The SSFCA "exists to educate and encourage cultural awareness through visual/audio performance, theatrical production and educational opportunity in Siloam Springs and surrounding communities," according to the organization's bylaws.
General News on 04/21/2019