ART SPACE

hen most think of art, their immediate thoughts are usually about the visual arts, such as painting or sculpture. Merriam-Webster defines art as “something that is created with imagination and skill and that is beautiful or that expresses important ideas or feelings.” By this definition, art is so much more than a painting or a sculpture. So, if this expanded way of thinking about art and what is considered to be art includes a wider range of mediums, types and forms, then who is recognized as an artist?

Could a brewer of craft beers be considered an artist? After speaking with the owners of Vortex Alley Brewing, the answer is, “yes.” David Thomas, Marc Spaulding and

Jim (Jimmy) Allen have been friends since their early teens. These childhood friends have always loved drinking beer, talking about beer and brewing beer at home. Since November 2017, they have shared their artwork with Ponca City by the opening of their downtown brewery. Vortex continued on page 22

Alley Brewing is a gallery dedicated to exhibiting these masterpieces that are “created with imagination and skill and that is beautiful or that expresses important ideas or feelings.” Feeling like having a beer? What type? What flavors do you like? Sweet? Sour? Etc. So many questions about a beer. This very condensed following information will help make a wellinformed decision when you head down to Vortex to have a tasty, adult beverage (only if you are 21 or older). The types of beers are lagers, ales, stouts & porters and special categories. The difference between a lager and ale is the type of yeast used. The type of strain in a lager ferments at a cold temperature and is a bottom-fermented beer. A lager’s taste is considered crisp and dry, but will leave the drinker feeling refreshed and rehydrated. Pale, pilsner, amber & red and dark are just a few of the subcategories to be found in the lager family. Ales are the opposite of lagers. So, ale is ferment at a warmer temperature and is referred to as a top-fermented beer. There are so many strains of ale yeast that it is difficult to give a simple taste description across the canvases used to create ales. Multiple choices of yeast plus the introduction of the endless flavors that can be used for this category, the options are endless. The more common ale subcategories are cream, pale, amber & red, India

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Digestive Health – It’s a Balancing Act

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762-1854 • Open Mon. thru Sat. 9 am - 7 pm 2906 N. 14th, Ponca City (next to Hobby Lobby)

pale ale (IPA), dark, brown, Belgian-style and last, but not least, wheat beer. These categories range in color, sweetness, bitterness, etc. With so many options, order a flight of beers (4-oz. serving of multiple beers on tap to be sampled) and try all the current flavors the local brew artists are offering and exhibiting for your enjoyment. Enjoyment of this next category is welcomed and encouraged by true beer lovers. Technically, this category should be included with the ales, but with the rich flavors, lack of bitterness and very dark color, stouts & porters need to stand on their own. The roast, chocolate and coffee flavors of stouts & porters generally have been thought of as a beverage more suitable for the colder months. With the popularity growing with this category, more and more stouts & porters are being enjoyed at summer events. The two

subcategories are oatmeal and imperial. Difference is one type has a small amount of oatmeal added which gives it a thicker body and a more earthy flavor while imperial refers to the 18thcentury stouts & porters that were being consumed all over Russia and was the favorite of Catherine the Great. No need to be part of the imperial family or be royalty to try any and all of the batches created by Thomas, Spaulding and Allen. After the three artists have collaborated and sculpted their next work of Hop Art, they proudly display and share it with their patrons. The imaginative named beers and one-of-a-kind flavors are displayed on the wall right behind the bar. Where do these life-long friends, who share a passion for beer get their inspiration and begin the creative process collaboration? Talking about beer while drinking beer with each other, then do it again and again. WALK-IN CLINIC, NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY Ponca Plaza Shopping Center, 2101 N 14th, Suite 114 580-762-1552

Open 7 Days a Week • Mon.-Sat. 9-8:30 & Sun. 10-5:30