Widmer Brothers Brewing to sponsor ARTCRANK bike poster shows in 2011 and 2012.

On the slim chance that you haven’t noticed, bikes are everywhere these days. The genus “Cyclist” has spawned more species and subcultures than you can shake a pedal wrench at: roadies, commuters, mountain bikers, fixie riders, cyclocrossers, messengers and tall bikers, to name just a few. And despite the fact that they all disagree about virtually everything having to do with bicycles, one thing brings them together: beer. Especially craft beer.

It’s a plot of common ground that Rob Widmer knows well. “I think that people who spend a lot of time on a bicycle appreciate the value of doing something the right way, even if it takes a little longer. They know the difference between a hand-built wheel and one built by a machine. That same mentality extends to the pint they enjoy after a ride.” As a dedicated cyclist who rides to work at the brewery that bears his  — and brother Kurt’s — name every day, he’s something of an authority on the subject.

So perhaps it’s not surprising that Widmer Brothers Brewing is getting behind another idea that brings together bicycles and hand-crafted beer: ARTCRANK, a show of bike-inspired poster artwork created by local artists in Widmer’s hometown of Portland and seven other cities.

In 2011, Widmer Brothers Brewing will sponsor ARTCRANK shows in Denver, Portland, San Francisco and Bend, Oregon. And in 2012, the beer brand will sponsor ARTCRANK’s full slate of U.S. events, including Minneapolis, Austin, Los Angeles, New York, Denver, Portland and San Francisco. At each event, Widmer Brothers Brewing will provide a selection of beer served in the appropriate glassware designed to showcase the style and flavors of the beer. Proceeds from the sale of the customized glassware will support a different cycling-related cause or charity in every location.

ARTCRANK founder and director Charles Youel, who’s also a big believer in the bike-beer corollary, thinks Widmer Brothers Brewing is the perfect partner for an event that draws people who are equally passionate about bikes and art. “One of the most rewarding parts of ARTCRANK is that we get to show people what’s possible when talented artists do work about something that inspires them. I see that same philosophy in the way Widmer Brothers brews beer, and I’m excited to share it with our audience.”

From Widmer Brothers Brewing’s point of view, it’s an important audience to reach. “Finding people who love bikes has never been tough in Portland, but we see strong cycling cultures developing across the country right now,” says Robert Rentsch, Director of Marketing at Widmer Brothers Brewing. “Working with ARTCRANK gives us a chance to connect with people who love craft beer outside of the traditional retail and marketing channels, and as part of something we believe in.”

And how will working with Widmer Brothers change ARTCRANK? Not much, and only in a good way, according to Youel. “When I started ARTCRANK, one of my goals was to blow up the idea that art shows have to be pretentious, stuffy functions. We’ve always described ourselves as “A poster party for bike people,” and nothing makes me happier than seeing a roomful of people sharing pints while they take in bike-inspired posters. Being able to serve them a great craft beer like Widmer Brothers, from one of the world’s best bike towns, makes that even better.”