Sierra Arts will provide a fun way to warm up from the winter weather when it hosts the 15th annual Brew Haha at John Ascuaga’s Nugget on Friday. The event raises money for the non-profit organization and features three local bands and more than 80 beers on tap. 

“I think what makes it so successful is because it’s in the middle of the winter drabs,” said Jill Berryman, director for Sierra Arts. “It’s a great party in the middle of winter.” 

Berryman said this year’s Brew Haha is celebrating 15 years of art in the community and that Sierra Arts wanted the annual fundraiser to be a special anniversary event. 

“This year, because it is the fifteenth, we wanted to make it special,” Berryman said. She added that Sierra Arts booked three bands instead of one and the silent auction will find homes for the beer can mobiles made out of Buckbean Brewing Company beer cans that were on display at CANFEST in October. 

Playing at the Brew Haha will be Jelly Bread, Buster Blue and Blue Turtle Seduction — all bands from northern Nevada that have strong fan followings. 

“The music must be danceable and have a local connection,” Berryman said. “It’s all about honoring local artists and musicians.” 

Celebrating 15 years of fundraising for the Sierra Arts Foundation, Berryman said this year’s Brew Haha has a few changes from previous years, including VIP tickets, t-shirts and special growlers to purchase and have filled in advance. 

The t-shirts were designed by Reno envy, Berryman said, and are limited to the first 100 people to call the art organization or visit the office building to pick up the t-shirt. 

VIP tickets are $60 and include early entrance to a brewer’s reception at 7 p.m. and insures a place to sit. Only 300 VIP tickets are sold and Berryman suggests getting a ticket in advance. 

“This is the kind of event that you want to get a lot of people to come to,” Berryman said. “I would tell people to dress for dancing and be comfortable.  

“I would also tell them to start out slow, there are 80 different brews,” Berryman added. “The favorites are usually the local breweries.” 

Attending the Brew Haha will be local breweries Buckbean Brewing Company, Great Basin Brewing Co. and Silver Peak.  

In addition to local breweries, beers from New Belgium, Newcastle, Pyramid, Full Sail, Merchant du Vin, Speakeasy, Anderson Valley, North Coast, Heineken, Mammoth, Eel River, Lagunitas, Stone, Mendocino, Deschutes, Big Sky, Moosehead, Sierra Nevada, Alaskan, Black Diamond, Kona, Red Hook, Sam Adams and Rail City will be available for tasting. 

Berryman suggests that people who plan on tasting as many beers as they can rent a room at the Nugget or find a designated driver. She wants to remind Brew Haha participants to drink responsibly and never drive drunk. 

In addition to the silent auction for beer can mobiles, raffle tickets will be sold for prizes that include two tickets to Burning Man, t-shirts, tickets to next year’s Brew Haha, beer growlers to be filled by local breweries and other prizes. 

Berryman said community support is important to keep art organizations alive. 

“What this does is helps support the infrastructure of the organization,” Berryman said. “It’s not glamorous but it supports the glamorous programs.” 

She added that the arts are everywhere there are people and Sierra Art helps bring art and art education to the community. 

“We usually raise close to $50,000, which is wonderful,” Berryman said. “Last year our numbers were a little down, as were everybody’s, but I think this year we’re going to sell out again.” 

Tickets for the Brew Haha start at $50 in advance for general admission; ticket prices increase the day of the Brew Haha. VIP tickets are $60 and can only be purchased in advance. Tickets can be purchased by calling Sierra Arts at 329-2787 or visiting www.sierra-arts.org. Tickets can also be purchased by visiting www.janugget.com. 

The Brew Haha starts at 7 p.m. for VIP ticket holders and 8 p.m. to general admission tickets. For more information about Sierra Arts, visit www.sierra-arts.org.