Worcester, Mass. – October 8, 2023 – In preparation for their upcoming Día de los Muertos festival later this month, Worcester-based nonprofit Casita Cultura Latina has partnered with a local brewery, Redemption Rock Brewing Co., to create a special collaborative beer.
Casita Cultura Latina is dedicated to celebrating and promoting Latino art and culture. To help spread the word about their festival, the nonprofit collaborated with Redemption Rock Brewing Co. to craft a unique beer experience.
The artwork adorning the beer can was masterfully created by resident artist Germán Chiriboga. The design showcases a hummingbird, symbolizing joy, which serves as the central theme for this year’s festival. Chiriboga explained, “There is joy in remembering those who are no longer with us. So, we wanted to convey the idea of the hummingbird, with all its vibrant colors and beauty, as a carrier of the spirits of others. It also represents a symbol that holds great significance in Latin America.”
In line with Casita Cultura Latina’s mission of fostering unity and pride within the local Latino community, the beer has been aptly named ‘Espiritu,’ which translates to ‘spirit’ in Spanish. This special brew is a prickly pear and coconut pale ale, described as soft and slightly juicy. Head brewer Greg Carlson emphasized that the message the nonprofit aims to share with the community was carefully considered during the beer’s creation.
Carlson elaborated, “When they mentioned the artwork for the label featuring a hummingbird, it led us to think about nectar, which, in turn, brought cactuses to mind. Cactuses led us to explore the use of prickly pear as an ingredient in the beer. We knew it would impart a bright, red, juicy color to the final product.”
Raquel Castro-Corazzini, Chair of the Board at Casita Cultura Latina, emphasized the importance of passing down cultural history, especially to the next generation. She expressed her hope that this collaboration would engage the community and enable cultural practices and history to endure.
A portion of the proceeds from the beer sales will contribute to Casita Cultura Latina’s Día de los Muertos festival, scheduled to run from October 25th through November 2nd. For a comprehensive list of events and further details, interested individuals can visit the organization’s website.
‘Espiritu’ beer is currently available at Redemption Rock, both on tap and in cans, offering a unique opportunity for the community to savor this special creation while supporting a meaningful cultural celebration.
