In 1936, retired lumberjack Fred Smith built the Rock Garden Tavern in Phillips, Wisconsin. Constructed by hand, the tavern served as a studio and stage for Smith, who would bartend and play fiddle for guests. He went on to build over 230 larger-than-life concrete sculptures in the pines around his tavern.

On the occasion of the grand opening of the Art Preserve, artist John Riepenhoff created this crisp Fred Smith Lager for the Art Preserve’s Fred Smith bar to transport visitors to the world that Smith built in the Northwoods.

Proceeds from the sale of the lager support the preservation and study of Fred Smith’s work and legacy. It is brewed by Company Brewing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for the Beer Endowment in collaboration with the John Michael Kohler Arts Center. Riepenhoff’s response also includes custom cans, coasters, glasses, and tap handle.