By Jackson Swearer
Beethoven and Beer is a new event coming to Hutchinson on the fourth Tuesday of each month at Sandhills Brewing.
This past Tuesday was the debut. It wasn’t the first time I have seen a line out the door at Sandhills Brewing, but it was the first time I’ve listened to classical music somewhere that was standing room only.
The event organizers are Classical Revolution ICT. Don’t let the ICT in the name confuse you – the group has many close ties to Hutchinson.
Careful readers will have noted that Beethoven and Beer was actually on the fifth Tuesday of July rather than the fourth. Organizers clarified that future events will be on the fourth Tuesday.
The minor calendar mixup did not seem to hurt attendance at the first event.
My family arrived about 20 minutes early and there was already a big crowd. The heat kept the garage doors to the patio closed, but there was overflow space in the back room for people who preferred to sit rather than stand and watch.
The acoustics were not perfect throughout the brewery, but I appreciated the moderate volume. We enjoyed a pleasant evening of conversation over a drink listening to beautiful chamber music.
Attendees need not be beer drinkers to enjoy the music. There are also wine and cider options from regional producers.
Those who avoid alcohol for health or other reasons can enjoy Sandhills Brewing’s locally produced non-alcoholic hop water.
There is something about the combination of live music and libations that builds community.
They just go together. Beethoven and beer are thought of by many as two of Germany’s greatest offerings to the world. Quite fitting as the name for a classical music event at a brewery, right?
Sure, technically beer was invented in Mesopotamia thousands of years before monks living on the land that would later become Germany perfected their recipes.
And yes, Beethoven did live through the collapse of the Holy Roman Empire in 1806 and spent most of his life in Vienna, which is in modern-day Austria.
Sometimes the small details matter a lot less than the big idea.
Classical music at the brewery turned out to be a great combination for Hutchinson. It was great to see so many people show up to support local musicians trying a cool experiment.
I hope if you’re available next month, you’ll take the opportunity to enjoy a drink and some classical music with friends and neighbors.