The Stout That’ll Make You Shout!

Y-Series collab with MRS(@mrrs.bx)

MRS Stout Fire is a 5.5% ABV 19 IBU Dry Irish Stout with soft carbonation and a deep toasty taste similar to cold brew coffee or dark chocolate cacao. Roasted Barley and Caramel malt lend dry, intensely bitter nuances of chocolate and coffee with subtle candy-like sweetness. Willameet Hops contribute peppery and herbaceous spice notes with fruity and floral characteristics.

MRS is a Bronx-bred artist that’s filled with pride that stems from a young age. As a kid MRS’ mother would take her and her siblings to various Bronx locations where she would come into contact with her first  glimpses of art; Graffiti. Commuting via buses and trains all over the city, MRS was very intrigued by the various colors and styles that would zoom by her and one day came across a piece that resonated with her strongly. Not truly making the connection that these were everyday people going out of their way to write a name, a message; something that would forever remain where it was written. The piece in question was a very high up graffiti tag of the name “Jessica”. MRS had no clue how and why but it sat with her so much that it inspired her to do the same and become more immersed in the medium of graffiti. The fact that a female could infiltrate the ranks of a male-dominated craft and break ground left MRS to not only think but act and act accordingly she did.

 

“I always enjoyed making art and graffiti as two separate things. I struggled to figure out a way for me to authentically combine the two of them. It wasn’t until I started making collages that I started to incorporate graffiti elements in my artwork which lead to my textile work. I feel like my art identity is always evolving. “

 

                                                                                                     

 

 

I would say my main medium right now is textiles. Through the use of textile collage, my goal is to combine an art form that is often perceived as being masculine, graffiti, with art that is often perceived as being feminine, quilting. I got into graffiti when I was a teenager, it was and still is a pretty male-dominated place. Even though I was writing “MRS” I had this perception that I had to be tough and more masculine like the people around me. As I continued with graffiti I started to excitement about allowing myself to be feminine, that’s when I started adding the little bow to my M and it was kind of this moment where I thought “Hey, this is cute and it can be cute.”

I always enjoyed graffiti because I thought it was fun. I enjoyed going on spray missions with my H.E.L. team. Graffiti gave me a sense of community I didn’t realize I was looking for. Having fun and enjoying the process is an important aspect of my work. I like making soft art because I enjoy being able to touch and feel what I’m making. I also like the idea that my work can serve a functional purpose in someone’s life. You can hang the piece on the wall but you can also put a pillow in it and cuddle up with it while you watch a movie. Accessibility is important to me.

MRS Stout Fire’s can design and name manifested from a bit of artist block. MRS had been working exclusively with fabrics and spray paint directly on walls so I had to change my way of thinking a little bit. The combination of graffiti along with textile designs but now have them both be on a can. MRS dyed and marbled some fabric then took some photos and put them into illustrator and made the fabric the inside fill of my throwie. MRS then started making a bunch of them and moving them around until an interesting and balanced pattern was achieved. The Bronx Brewery team helped come up with the name MRS. Stout fire. I thought it was hilarious and we went with it.

When asked “What do you hope to achieve with your art/platform?” MRS says:

” I hope to keep making art that is functional and approachable. I  want to explore making more installation-type environments where my work is living in a space, not just hung on a walls. i hope this collaboration plants the seeds for more of that in my future.”

When asked “If there’s anything else you’d like to let people know?” MRS says:

“In 2016 I was showing some work at a gallery on the Upper East Side and i remembered emailing the Bronx Brewery saying that I was from The Bronx and what a fan I was of the beer. I don’t know who I was emailing at the time but I asked if they would be willing to sponsor the show with some beers and they said yes! I was so happy to have The Bronx Brewery beer there and I felt supported by the brand. When I say you guys doing the collab with Ces I thought it was so cool that you were working with Bronx artist and it was something I really wanted to do as well. When I was asked to be a part of this Y-Series collaboration it was immediate Yes! I have been wanting to make an immersive space to showcase my work where people could sit and chill with the pieces. Everyone at The Bronx Brewery was so supportive and accommodating to how I wanted to show my work. It felt like a great match and collaboration.”

The Community collaborator for MRS Stout Fire’s release is The Bronx River Art Center. I have had the honor of having some work in a group show and I have led 1 session printmaking workshop for kids. What I really admire about BRAC is its commitment to providing art opportunities to children and teens of The Bronx. Their program has artists come in to teach different lessons and I think it’s really important for kids to not only have access to art and creative outlets but to be introduced to the people in their community who are making art. Art exists outside of the big museums downtown and I appreciate how they make art accessible to the youth.

Proceeds received from the release of this beer will sponsor various creative endeavors for children in the Bronx.