In addition to 40 different brewed beers to taste, the fifth annual Brews Arts Festival
will also feature the Southeastern faculty band,
“Impaired Faculties,” a classic rock cover band.
The group is composed of (from left to right) Randy Settoon,
Dan McCarthy,  Joe Burns, Bill Robison and Ralph Wood.  
Courtesy of the Hammond Regional Arts Center

When people hear the phrase, “contemporary art,” beer is not usually the first drink to come to mind. The Hammond Regional Arts Center challenges this notion, combining fine arts, music, beer tasting and unusual foods in their fifth annual Brews Arts Festival.

The festival features 40 different locally and internationally brewed beers and performances from the Southeastern faculty band “Impaired Faculties.”

Attractions for the evening include visiting artists, chefs and musicians showcasing their talents. The festival will take place this Friday from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m.

“Our featured metal artist and blacksmith, John Perilloux, will be doing live metal sculpting and black-smithing demonstrations with fire. Our featured classic rock cover band is ‘Impaired Faculties,’ which is made up of Southeastern faculty members Joe Burns, Ralph Wood, Bill Robison, Dan McCarthy and Randy Settoon,” said Mike Kilgore, executive director for HRAC. 

Though the festival focuses on beer-tasting other types of alcoholic beverages will be available.

“It will appeal to casual beer drinkers and aficionados alike, though we will also offer Sangria for those who prefer it,” said Kilgore. “It will appeal to a general audience of festival goers and anyone who enjoys having a good time with good beer and great music on a Friday night.”

Beer aside, there are many other draws to this event, bringing in many talents that appeal to many different aspects of artistic culture and entertainment. 

“The experience will allow attendees to sample as many beers as they wish and enjoy a great menu of food from local chef, Kevin Cote… and an arts and crafts market with local vendors. There will be raffles and prizes,” said Kilgore.

This year there will be new brewers, new beer and a new service for parents to be able to enjoy the night’s festivities as well. 

“New guests this year include local Hammond brewery Gnarly Barley who is participating in the festival to promote their new line of craft beers. Also new for this year is the Louisiana Children’s Discovery Center, which is hosting an ‘almost-sleepover,’ allowing parents to leave their children at the LCDC for a night of fun and entertainment while they enjoy the festival. LCDC is located directly across the street from the entrance to the fest.” said Kilgore.

Ticket prices are available for $20 in advance online at HRAC’s  website or at the Hammond Regional Arts Center during regular hours. Tickets will cost $25 at the door in the event.  You must be 21 or older to buy tickets. For more information, call HRAC at 985-542-7113.