With the boom in the craft beer industry it was only a matter of time before beer was considered art, and that moment came during last year’s ArtPrize. In 2013, Founders Brewing Co. signed a five-year deal with ArtPrize, making the Grand Rapids-based brewing company the official provider of beer for the annual competition for the foreseeable future. Through this agreement, the brewery decided to release a different beer each year (dubbed the Artists Series), beginning with last year’s Inspired Artist Black IPA, which was well received, earning a 93 out of 100 on renowned rating site www.beeradvocate.com.

This year, Founders came with a bit of a switch-up: an ale which features a single malt – Golden Promise – and a single hop – Mosaic. The name? Mosaic Promise. The overarching theme? Simplicity.

While many breweries aim to incorporate unusual amalgamations of ingredients into their batches, Mosaic Promise represents Founders’ recognition that there is beauty in modesty. In fact, the only flashy element of Mosaic Promise is the beer’s label, which features a picture of 2013 ArtPrize entry “Ninkasi,” a stained glass piece depicting the ancient Sumerian goddess of beer. After hanging in Founders during the art competition last year, the piece was eventually purchased by the brewery and displayed in the taproom.

Brew Breakdown

The Pour: thin, slightly hazy golden, with a small white head leaving little to no lace.

The Nose: you can smell this one from across the room; pungent and skunky, with a piney aroma.

The Taste: comes on strong with an earthy flavor and hints of tropical fruit, with a smooth finish, making for very drinkable beer/session ale. Clocking in at just 5.5 percent ABV and 50 IBUs, it would take more than a few swigs of this libation to put anyone on the floor, making it somewhat comparable to Founders’ other session ale, All Day IPA.

Though not as favored as last year’s entry, Inspired Artist Black IPA, the basic ale pulled in a respectable 89 out of 100 on www.beeradvocate.com and a 95 out of 100 on www.ratebeer.com.

But as rewarding as positive reviews are, high scores aren’t necessarily what Founders is in search of with this creation. Rather, the brewery aims to raise capital for the ArtPrize organization by donating all proceeds from the beer, in hopes that it can continue to flourish as the world’s largest art competition.

The beer will be available from now until mid-October, and is not only carried in stores but is also on-tap at numerous locations. The limited-time beer will only be sold in Michigan, Wisconsin, New York City and Chicago.

At the relatively reasonable cost of around $10 a pack – and readily available at any Meijer, as well as other various shops around town – residents of Grand Rapids should have no problem picking up a few “pieces of art” and analyzing the masterpiece for themselves.

For more about Mosaic Promise, as well as Founders’ engagement in ArtPrize, head over to www.foundersbrewing.com.