On March 26, Atlanta-based advertising and marketing veteran Craig Stroud II and craft beer pioneer Ale Sharpton got here collectively to craft the proper mashup expertise. The 2 introduced collectively the craft beer and sneaker neighborhood to have a good time the enduring Nike Air Max. March 26, generally known as Nike Air Max Day, celebrates 30-plus years of favor, tradition, design and innovation.
With their pals at Inside Voice Brewing in Decatur, Georgia, Stroud and Sharpton launched the Air Max-inspired “ALE MAX 1” beer. Stroud and Sharpton spoke with rolling out about Ale Max Day and bringing the neighborhood collectively.
What impressed you guys to do that?
Ale Sharpton: This occasion is about folks coming collectively in downtown Decatur. They’ve by no means seen something like this, however we made it occur. We got here to among the finest breweries that make one of the best IPAs. That’s what we went with, and all people loves it. It’s been a superb engagement.
Craig Stroud III: The mantra of that is all about sneakers and beer tradition. There are such a lot of similarities and it’s been taking place already, however nobody put it collectively and created a tremendous mashup. That’s what this was, to say that that is what was already taking place commonly, however we’re going to place a highlight on that. We made it tremendous inclusive and aspirational within the sense that everyone’s like, “we must be doing extra of this.” That’s all we’ve heard at present. It’s nice that now we have household and pals and we all know a brewery that sells pizza. I introduced my children, and now we have pals who introduced their children and it felt overly inclusive, the truth that you possibly can deliver your children to an occasion [like this] and really feel snug with that.
What beers ought to Atlantans be ingesting?
AS: The gorgeous factor about Atlanta is there are such a lot of completely different beers to select from, so we are able to’t title three. Lots of breweries assist what’s happening in Atlanta proper now, however Inside Voice hosted us and made among the finest beers which are out. From beer nerds to individuals who don’t learn about beer, they’re like “Wow, I actually love this.” So it’s not hoppy. It’s very well-balanced, and all of it comes collectively. I really like this.
CS: I might say, as [Ale] would inform me on a regular basis, assist your native brewery. It’s identical to sneaker tradition. There are parallels between sneaker tradition and native brewers. Each grocery retailer sells beer and Foot Locker sells each sneaker, however if you wish to get a pulse of what’s happening in both of these cultures, it’s a must to go native. We speak concerning the southeast area, and much more, nationally, Ale is that man. I trusted him with a imaginative and prescient. After the entire advertising and marketing stuff was in place, we stated that is what we should always do, and it made us come collectively and collaborate.
