The incredible exhibit originally developed by History Colorado is coming to Boulder!
In five sections that span 1859 – present, the exhibit explores –
“Beer on the Mining Frontier,” when immigrants planted mining towns during the Gold Rush “Brewing an Industry,” how Colorado became the industrial hub of the Rocky Mountain West “Prohibition,” why the state went dry four years before national Prohibition “Coors Country,” where Coors Brewing Company and Ball Corporation contributed to Colorado’s economy and culture “The Rise of Craft,” when the connection grew between the rising outdoor recreation and brewing industries
Beer Here! will feature stories from the past, present and future, as well as more than 160 authentic artifacts from Colorado’s beer and brewing history, connecting time periods. Some of the most compelling objects include:
- A Denver brewer’s union card from 1888, written entirely in German, because that was the language most brewers spoke at the time;
- Adolph Coors’ original hand-drawn sketch of his first beer label, on loan from the Coors archive
- A massive wooden bottle smasher used by the Denver Police Department during Prohibition
- Beer-brewing equipment then & now;
- The nation’s first recyclable aluminum beer cans, pioneered by Coors;
- A Ku Klux Klan hood and membership manual to illustrate the hate group’s growth during Prohibition;
- Coors pottery
- Tom’s Tavern booth and memorabilia
- Soundbites from Charlie Papazian’s oral history (Note: Mr. Papazian will be the Museum of Boulder’s Keynote Speaker at its Annual Meeting, Tuesday, April 25th, 2023 at 5:00pm)
- Other artifacts from Colorado’s hoppy history.
Also, museum visitors will be able to see and smell the ingredients Coors uses to make its beer, inside the exhibit and outside in the “beer ingredient garden.” Since beer is not allowed inside the gallery to protect some rare and important artifacts, the museum will feature an immersive saloon based on the Ward State House where beer may be served during special events. Book your event now!
This exhibit’s development was generously supported by the Ball Corporation and Coors Brewing Company and brought to Boulder thanks to a gift from Kathy and Brian Spear.
CALL FOR ART As part of the exhibit, we will be hosting an exhibition of beer-themed art in our Museum lobby, beginning April 13 and closing alongside the exhibit on September 3. This exhibition encourages visual artists to share their beer-inspired artwork, bottle and can label artwork and overall work celebrating beer culture. Artists are encouraged to submit their unique visions such as paintings based upon vintage beer advertising, photographs of frothy beers, collages utilizing beer coasters and other beer promotional items, assemblage incorporating the variety of colorful beer bottles, and other original inspired works of art. Deadline to submit is March 30, 2023.