Arts & Science brewery officially open their doors

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One of the first collaborative breweries in Canada opened its doors to the public this weekend.

The former Lakeport plant in Hamilton is now home to Hamilton’s Collective Arts Brewing and Burlington-based Nickel Brook brewery under the name “Arts and Science.” The brewery is already creating quite a buzz.

The music was pumping. The crowd was growing. But most importantly the beer was flowing.

A complete 180 for the former Lakeport Brewery that has sat vacant for years.

“There has been a lot of attention to this brewery. There is a lot of history here. This building has been abandoned for 4-5 years.” said John Romano from Nickel Brook Brewery.

More than 3000 people filtered through the new “Arts & Science” brewery over the weekend. Getting a chance to get up close and personal with the newest neighbour in the city’s north end.

The brewery includes a 10 000 square foot event space.

This weekend’s open house is just a taste of what beer aficionados can expect in the future.

This site had been under construction for over the last 2 years. And if this weekend was any indication of how successful this brewery will be, well its definitely a cause for celebration.

The new brewery took over the old Lakeport site after Labatt shut it down in 2010, taking with it all the plant’s equipment and leaving more than a 140 people out of a job.

Collective Arts and Nickel Brook are bringing in their own flavour, but are keeping true to the city of Hamilton.

“We’re a manufacturer, we brew beer. But we are also about creativity and that’s the exact blend Hamilton has going right now.” said Matt Johnston from Collective Arts Brewery.

The brewery also features a store front that has been open since September. On display, over 420 uniquely designed bottles and cans created by artists from Hamilton and across the globe.

“Craft beer lovers are experimental, that doesn’t just go for their beer. That goes for their taste in music and art and so we wanted to fuse those altogether.” said Jonhston.