news release

Walking Tree Brewery, in connection with The Curtain Up initiative, have crafted a beer which will be sold to local establishments with proceeds going towards Riverside Theatre.

Started by Broadway actors Mark Aldrich and James Ludwig (Henry Higgins in Riverside Theatre’s production of My Fair Lady), The Curtain Up initiative brings Theatres and local breweries in their vicinities together to raise awareness and funds for the arts. Locally, Walking Tree created an exclusive Kölsch craft beer for Riverside Theatre.  

“Everyone experienced the effects of the shut downs last year, but none so harshly as the entertainment industry,” said Brooke Malone, Marketing/Events/Creative Specialist at Walking Tree Brewery. “Collaborating with our amazing local Theatre, was a great way to give back and support the arts in our community.” 

Originally, the mission of Curtain Up was to create a source of relief funding for The Actors Fund, which provides a safety net for entertainment professionals throughout their lifespan, but with performing arts venues closed because of the pandemic, the initiative was expanded to provide needed financial assistance to theaters where actors performed.

A connection with Walking Tree was established and they created a craft beer for Riverside Theatre as a way for beer aficionados to support the Theatre.

Called Curtain Up, Walking Tree took two of their most loved beers, Treasure Kölsch and Stay Frooted Pineapple/Tangerine Sour, blended them together, then dry hopped it with Mandarina Bavaria hops.  

Walking Tree crafts beer for our community and in four short years has won medals in the Best of Florida Beers and the Great American Beer Festival.

For a limited time, Curtain Up beer is available at Riverside Theatre, Walking Tree Brewery, Waldo’s  at the Driftwood Resort on Vero’s beach and The Kilted Mermaid in downtown Vero Beach.

For more information on Curtain Up, visit: www.RiversideTheatre.com/curtian-up

Riverside Theatre programs are sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Riverside Theatre is a member of Florida Professional Theatre Association, the Cultural Council of Indian River County, the Indian River Chamber of Commerce, and the Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce.