The last time we checked in with Lakefront Brewery, things were getting explosive. Now, the beloved Milwaukee brewery is unveiling it’s latest whirling dervish: a 40-foot, three-dimensional, LED-lit “Kegnado” that adorns the northeast corner of its Commerce Street facility. Whoa.
The hopefully-not-controversial piece of public art is made up of 71 used, stainless steel beer kegs. The original idea came from Retailworks Inc. “The river and the people of Milwaukee have been very good to us over the years. In trying to give back, our brewery has built one of the most unique and beautiful art pieces that any brewery in the world has ever built,” says Lakefront Brewery Co-Founder and President Russ Klisch in a press release. “It’s been years in the making.”
An opening ceremony for the Kegnado is set for Thursday, September 12 at 6:30 p.m. Check out the full press release below, plus some in-progress photos that we snapped a few weeks ago.
LAKEFRONT BREWERY ANNOUNCES A “KEGNADO” WARNING!
The Brewery’s latest public art installation lights up old beer kegs with color.MILWAUKEE (September 3, 2019) – 71 used, stainless steel beer kegs make up a tornado attached to the Northeast corner of Lakefront Brewery’s Commerce street building. Each keg will be lit with two bands of LEDs and are able to be programed with any color combination possible. Towering over 40 feet, the Kegnado is a three-dimensional, moving and dynamic piece of public art.
“The river and the people of Milwaukee have been very good to us over the years. In trying to give back, our brewery has built one of the most unique and beautiful art pieces that any brewery in the World has ever built,” stated Lakefront Brewery Co-Founder and President, Russ Klisch. “It’s been years in the making.”
The original conceptual idea come from Milwaukee’s own Retailworks Inc. and was built by local craftsmen. “We hope this unique project will spur other luminous art instillations along the river and encourage people and guests to stroll, kayak or boat up and down the Riverwalk,” Klisch continued.
Lakefront is currently programing the lights for an opening ceremony and other upcoming events and holidays. The Kegnado’s opening is scheduled for September 12that 6:30pm. The Brewery encourages the public to come down and witness the lighting ceremony for themselves. Lakefront’s food truck, the CurdWagon, will be on-hand serving neon rainbow cheese curds and the Beer Hall will be tapping a new collaboration with Great Lakes Brewing Company called, Coast to Costa – a coffee blonde ale made with Costa Rican coffee beans. Grab a glow cup, glow jewelry and enjoy half-price growlers to take home.
Lakefront Brewery’s Kegnado Ceremony begins at 6:30pm on Thursday, September 12th with the lighting at 7:15pm at 1872 North Commerce Street, Milwaukee.
