Beer and pretzels are coming to the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art.
The items are not part of some modern exhibit on bar food, but they are the main feature at this Wednesday’s MIX.
MIX, the weekly tasting event in the Marché Café, features rotating themes including martinis, cheese and crackers, wines and beer.
Deborah Allen, café manager, said she thought MIX was perfectly in line with what Marché is known for – cheese, wine and specialty foods.
Allen said, “This week is the first week we’re doing beer and pretzels, so I’m really excited about it.”
The café usually gets a collection of alumni and museum members, but Allen would like to see more students and faculty involved.
MIX is a low-key event that Allen started in January.
“I think it has just started to catch on in the last month or so. I feel like the last six weeks have had more traffic and been more fun,” she said.
This Wednesday will feature beer from the Ninkasi Brewery.
There will be samples of its Tricerahops Double IPA and Believer Double Red.
The Marché Café’s pastry chef will be making pretzels to accompany the beers.
“It’s really casual. People can just stop in and have a tasting,” Allen said. “You can hang out with people or you don’t have to.”
In addition to the tasting, Ninkasi will also be selling some of its 22-oz. beers.
Allen said she would like to see beer and pretzel night evolve into a movie night.

She would like to pair beers with movies but still keep it local.
“We’re definitely local and seasonal and we like to support local growers and other local companies,” she said.
Allen hopes this Wednesday’s event will appeal to a younger crowd.
She said, “Marché is traditionally pretty ‘sheshe’ for a lot of 20-ish people and I like the event to be more casual, you know, no reservations.”
[email protected]