Dave McClinton is 2020’s Thirsty Planet Artist for EAST

So now you’re already smiling, citizen, because there’s going to be an East Austin Studio Tour in November.

Art by Dave McClinton

At least, that’s the plan so far.

And when you’re planning for EAST – which is what you’re doing if you’re Big Medium, the group that launched the juggernaut of creative celebration back in 2002 and has run its continually impressive expansions since then – one of the many (many) things you’re planning is who’s gonna be this year’s Thirsty Planet artist.

Because that acclaimed brewery is one of the official EAST partners, and each year they designate an Austin-based artist to create a concept beer, label, and packaging based on their work.

Note: This is the third year of the Thirsty Planet x EAST program.

In 2018, it was the aesthetic powerhouse known as Broad Studios. In 2019, Fernando Muñoz brought his graphic glory to the suds. And now, for 2020’s tour, graphic designer Dave McClinton will be the man behind the beery magnificence.

You know this McClinton? We know this McClinton. Hell, he worked as a designer for the Chronicle, back in the day. But, as bold and effective as his professional skills have always been, even we were rocked by the deeper power of McClinton’s personal work – as evidenced in this review of his "Despite It All" show last year.

Yeah, that’s what we’re talking about. Can you imagine what this guy will do, beer-brandingwise? And what about what’s inside the packaging? The Big Medium press release says that the artist will create a concept beer. Is this McClinton some kind of Secret Master of Brewing as well?

Or … well, what does it mean?

“I’ll be meeting with Thirsty Planet next week,” the artist told us on Friday. “We’ll discuss what types of beers we like and how we might collaborate, and I’ll have a fairly substantial amount of input on the final product. I have some ideas that’ll be filtered through their marketing and logistical process. But their dude told me yesterday that the options are wide open.”

And what might Dave McClinton do with those generous options?

“I like easy-to-drink beers most of the time,” he tells us. “This beer’s coming out in October, so something darker, something autumnal might be an option.” A sly smile plays upon his lips. “I’m really going to throw some wild shit at the brewer and see what he says. Hahahahaha!”

Artists, amirite?

So we’re calling this good news all around: The East Austin Studio Tour is a-coming in November; the Thirsty Planet collab is gonna look (and probably taste) amazing; and a couple months later we’ll all bid adieu to this mindfuck of a year and see what fresh hell or heaven 2021 has to offer our continuing human history.