Beer for a Cause: Breweries That Give Back!
Tour de Fat 2009: A great event for a worthy cause!
Beer is not just about brewing, drinking, reviewing, blotting and food pairings, beer is about so much more. Well, at least to the many breweries who use their product, their brew pub and/or their loyal followers to raise awareness for noble causes around the country.
Breweries such as Stone Brewing Co., New Belgium Brewing Co. and Front Street Brewery, a small North Carolina establishment, hold events and utilize their “fame” to bring the community together to give back to people in need.
On December 22 and 23, 2009, Escondido, California’s, Stone Brewing Co. is holding the “Give a Pint, Get a Pint” blood drive from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM. With the holiday season in full force, Stone Brewing Co. invites you to join the Stone Crew in donating blood to prove once again that craft beer and community service go hand in hand. And if you couldn’t guess by the name of the event, every person who donates blood will receive a free Stone Brewing pint glass. You know you love their logo!
Continuing the spirit of giving, Front Street Brewery out of Wilmington, North Carolina, is holding their first annual “Mugs for Jugs” event at the brewery. On January 23rd at 7:00 PM, come join the festivities while raising money and awareness for breast cancer. Look forward to pink wigs, photo booths, micro brews galore, and live music by local band, Buzzround.
The event’s main beneficiary is the NHRMC’s Coastal Care Van (CCV), a paramount program for victims of breast cancer working tirelessly to provide mammograms for local women who otherwise could not afford them. CCV also provides “comfort bags” for local women with breast cancer, filled with consoling and useful items. Front Street Brewery believes in community, giving back to the community and focusing charity on local organizations.
As a brewery that prides themselves on community involvement all year round and values employee input, New Belgium Brewing Company located in Fort Collins, Colorado, was voted best place to work by Outside Magazine in 2008. Non-profit organizations and worthy causes can apply to the brewery for in-kind donations for events, event sponsorship and even grants. New Belgium’s Local Grants Program began in 1995 when it was established that for every barrel of beer produced, $1 would be given to non-profit organizations in the communities where we sell our beers. To date, New Belgium has donated $3 million. In 2009, the brewery will donate $490,000 to programs in 20 states.
Tour de Fat, a well known event held by New Belgium every year is energetic, vibrant and proves to be an amazing time! This event promotes riding your bike and subsequently the environment and good health. Of course, New Belgium does not take ANY profits from this event and all proceeds go to bike charities and environmental causes.
Tis the season for giving, but remember, people are in need all year round and causes continue to exist even after December 25th. Breweries that not only brew amazing beer, but put forth an extra effort to make a positive change in the world, are downright inspirational. So in the name of causes around the globe, raise your pint to breweries that give back!
