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.