Music, theater, dance and all things creative, the Brewery Arts Center
is Carson City’s hub of all forms of art and continues to blaze a
trail into the hearts and minds of the capital city.
In Carson City’s historic district, the BAC and the Brewery Arts
Center Performance Hall hosts more than 100 events annually in
multiple venues, including theater productions, concerts, art classes, children’s programs, recitals
and receptions.
Its history is quite a story. The BAC is located in
the old Carson Brewing Company building, Nevada’s longest-operating
brewery. To capitalize on the Comstock rush between Carson City and
Virginia City, the brewery was built in 1865 by John Wagner. The
brewery and a bar were on the main floor and the upper floor served
as the Masonic Lodge from 1865 to 1919, according to the National
Park Service. The Carson Brewery made steam beer using water from
nearby Kings Canyon Creek, with the hops and barley imported from
California. The brewery delivered barrels, kegs and bottles of beer
to local saloons, Comstock tap rooms and other towns around the
state. In addition, five kegs a week were shipped to San Francisco
for some Nevada-based customers who would drink no other brand.
The brewery changed hands in 1900 and again in 1910, when the
brew-master converted from steam beer to lager. In 1913 the product
was labeled Tahoe Beer, “Famous as the Lake.” The brew-master,
Fritz Hagmeyer and owner Max Stenz, expanded the operation, by
bottling soft drinks and mineral water from Carson Hot Springs.
By the 1940s, large brewing companies were buying local beer
businesses throughout the country. Arnold Millard bought the
brewery in 1926 from his father-in-law Stenz and later liquidated
the business in 1948. The building was then the home of the
Nevada
Appeal newspaper until 1975 when it became the site of the
Brewery Arts Center. The BAC still features an exhibit on the
history of the Carson Brewing Company.
With an annual budget just under $1 million, the BAC operates Access Carson City Charter Cable Channels
10 and 26, The BAC’s Performing Arts Cooperative (BAC PAC), the BAC
Stage Kids, the Brewery Arts Center Summer Stock Theater, Concerts
at the Brewery, Classes at the Brewery, the Artisans’ Cafe and the
Nevada Artist Association (NAA).
The NAA is a showcase for Silver State visitors and
artists with a gallery showcasing sculptures, photography,
paintings, jewelry and crafts. The Artisan Cafe, in
the BAC, serves coffee and breakfast pastries as well as
lunch. Tickets to upcoming events, classes and concert information
are available at the cafe.
The Brewery Arts Center located at 449
W. King Street is the place to go for all things creative.
Upcoming featured events at the BAC include:
— Wine, Art and Music at the Brewery on March 3
from noon to 5 p.m. which coincides with the Carson City Wine Walk.
— A pre-St. Patrick’s Day performance by Men of Worth, on Friday, March 16 at 8 p.m.
— Reno Baroque Ensemble — Vox Nevada on Saturday.
March 17 at 2 p.m. The choral will present a cappella masterworks
from the Renaissance period.
— Performances of “Forever Plaid” By Wild Horse Productions. The flash-back to the
1950’s and the memorable music of that era will be presented on
Friday and Saturday, March 30, 31, April 6, 7, 13 & 14 at 7:30
pm and Sunday, April 8 at 2 p.m. at the Brewery Arts Center
Performance Hall.
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