Art & Ales Prove to be a Winning Combination

A painting by James Oleson, based on Melusine. [Photo by Noelle Pappas]

Four artists, six hours, and dozens of spectators turned Tidal Brewing Co. into a live studio last month as the brewery and Roots Creative Co. hosted the first-ever Art & Ales, an immersive competition blending craft beer, visual art, and community fundraising.

What began as an idea between Tidal Brewing Co. co-owner Maxine Peitzman and Roots Creative Co. founder Allisa Babor evolved into a full-scale creative experience. Mixing paint, music, local vendors, and a friendly showdown over six hours, spectators drifted between easels, sponsors, and beer taps while watching four artists attempt the rare task of producing intricate, expressive work right in front of a live audience.

The format was simple but demanding. Each artist was assigned a Tidal Brewing Co. beer and used its tasting notes, history, and style as the inspiration for an original painting. But translating flavor into visual form, all while under pressure, is anything but simple.

Runner-up Johan Casadiego interpreted the Mexican dark lager Besos de la Luna to be about connection. “My piece is all connected,” said Casadiego, who moved from Venezuela to Hernando two decades ago and is known for blending photography, sculpture, design, and painting. “This is my first live art competition, and the whole experience pushed me.”

Johan Casadiego, with his painting based on Besos de la Luna. [Photo by Noelle Pappas]

Nancy Barry approached her Turbid Waters New England IPA piece with a dual-handed technique, sketching with both hands simultaneously. “It gives me this cool symmetrical style that pulls people in,” the Spring Hill-based mother of three said. “I’m not a planner. I go off instinct. I wanted to show two things coming together in harmony.”

Brooksville native and nationally exhibited artist James Oleson took a similar approach for his Melusine piece, inspired by Tidal’s Coconut Blonde Ale. “I rely on intuition,” he said. “I bring a ton of extra colors and let whatever happens happen.” Oleson, whose large-scale installations have appeared from Miami to Kansas City, is known for fantastical illusions and breathing life into found objects.

Nancy Barry works on her painting based on Turbid Waters. [Photo by Noelle Pappas]

And then there was Giuseppe “Pepper” Solito, the Italian-trained painter who poured 35 years of global fine arts experience into his interpretation of the German red lager Dirty Rotten Scoundrel. With a career that spans Milan fashion houses, pop-art experimentation, Caravaggio recreations, and custom Adidas fabric designs, Solito captivated onlookers with a bold portrait-driven composition.

His piece ultimately captured both the Judge’s Pick and the People’s Choice Award, a massive sweep in the event’s first year.

“It’s hard to compare apples to oranges,” said judge Justin Alsedek, a beloved Central Florida artist and curator of Ocala’s 8th Ave Gallery. “But creativity, completeness, and connection to the beer really stood out. I literally drink the beer while judging. Smelling it, tasting it, looking at the piece. [Solito’s] captured the spirit.”

Winner Giuseppe Solito focuses on elements in his painting. [Photo by Noelle Pappas]

One of the most talked-about elements of the night wasn’t on a canvas; it was in a pint glass.

Tidal debuted Corr Blimey, a British Pale Ale brewed specifically for Art & Ales. The beer highlights traditional English ingredients: earthy Willamette hops, fruity yeast, and classic biscuity malts. Peitzman invited members of the Hernando County Fine Arts Council to participate in the brewing process.

“We honor tradition,” Peitzman said, noting the style’s origins in early 18th-century England, when pale malt first became possible. “Ten percent of all Corr Blimey sales go directly to the Arts Council, and it’ll stay on tap until it runs out.”

Even patrons who missed the event can support the cause by ordering a pint.

For the Hernando County Fine Arts Council, the event was both a fundraiser and an outreach opportunity. “It’s wonderful to do events right in the heart of Spring Hill,” said council member Nina Mattei. “We want to bring the Arts Council to people who may not think about it. And this event benefits the artists, too, since they’re brave enough to create live, in front of a crowd. That’s very impressive.”

Half of the proceeds from the post-event art auction will go directly to the artists, with the other half benefiting the Arts Council’s mission of connecting Hernando residents with the creative community. “Linking artists with people who love art and people who buy art is the core of what we do,” Mattei said.

For Babor, the event’s success reflects a broader goal. “Art doesn’t need to sit behind glass,” she said. “It can be live, interactive, and something anyone can experience. Over the years, we’ve seen how much Hernando County loves the arts. Our teams at Roots & Tidal Brewing Co. love this community dearly, and we truly enjoy creating unique events alongside the artists and attendees who make it so special. Together, we brought something new here, and we’re already planning for next year’s event.”

As Solito posed for photos with both his awards, spectators lingered long after the final brush strokes had dried, taking last looks at the four finished pieces illuminated under the brewery’s warm lights.

“It was a true celebration of the arts,” Babor said in a post-event announcement. “We can’t wait for round two.”

Artists gather for a photo after the competition. (From left) James Oleson, Nancy Barry, Giuseppe Solito, and Johan Casadiego. [Photo by Noelle Pappas]