Successful breweries often take root with strong ties to their local neighborhoods. Naturally, these companies look back to the community to share their triumphs and, when a charitable opportunity knocks, to lend a helping hand.
It takes many people to run a successful brewery, from brewers to packaging and distributing professionals, so there’s no shortage of close-to-the-heart causes or creative ways to give. Here are seven local breweries channeling their efforts toward bettering their communities:
1. Victory Brewing Company
As a powerhouse in our state, Victory Brewing Company leads the way in giving back. A portion of proceeds from its American pale ale, Headwaters, benefits two key organizations that protect our state’s watersheds. Since 2011, Victory has been able to provide the Guardians of the Brandywine and Brandywine Valley Association with over $40,000 to promote their goal of improving water quality.
Furthermore, the past two years have seen the return of Victory’s Kirsch Gose. This pink-colored, slightly tart beer is brewed with Michigan cherry juice, and benefits organizations such as Living Beyond Breast Cancer and Fox Chase’s Irma H. Russo, MD Breast Cancer Research Laboratory. All told, Victory has been able to donate $15,000 toward cancer research.
2. Weyerbacher Brewing Company
Weyerbacher Brewing Company gives back to its furry friends: 5 cents from every pint of hop-focused Last Chance IPA go to animal rescue organizations, with over $200,000 being donated since the beer’s inception. As its commercial shows, every time you drink a Last Chance IPA, you rescue an animal.
3. Yards Brewing Company
Yards Brewing Company regularly supportsthe community in a number of ways. Its tart berry ale, Pynk , benefits breast cancer research and awareness, and is pink in color from 3,300 pounds of cherries and raspberries used in each batch. Since 2013, Yards has donated over $18,000 to the Tyanna Foundation.
In 2016, Yards also raised awareness for ActionAIDS with its well-hopped Action IPA by dedicating the brew’s name to the organization and donating proceeds to it from beer sales.
4. Yuengling
D.G. Yuengling & Son has partnered with VFW to create “Toast A Hero.” This campaign was built out of respect for our nation’s veterans and the sacrifices they’ve made. Supporters can visit Yuengling’s site or tweet @VFWHQ to donate to VFW and ensure that our nation’s veterans will have the assistance they need in the future.
5. Chatty Monks Brewing Company
Near Penn State, Chatty Monks has named a beer “46 Hours” as a tribute to the college’s fundraiser, THON, where participants attempt to dance for 46 consecutive hours. A light blonde ale with local Sumatran coffee would surely keep you energized and dancing during the fundraiser, which benefits children diagnosed with cancer. While the beer won’t be served on the floor during the event, its name does spread awareness about bringing people together for a great cause.
6. North Country Brewing Company
North Country Brewing Company gives back in a hyperlocal way. Its Station 33 Firehouse Red is a malty, ruby red ale brewed to benefit the Slippery Rock Volunteer Fire Department. North Country donates 5% of total draft sales from the brew to the department.
7. Moo-Duck Brewery
Moo-Duck Brewery’s charitable efforts include Pitties.Love.Peace, which is dedicated to rescuing mistreated pit bulls and adult dogs in Central Pennsylvania, in addition to educating people on how friendly pit bulls can by by nature. Through the end of March, 50 cents from every pint of its pleasantly bitter Hoppy Toad IPA will be donated to the organization.
Know of other Pennsylvania breweries giving back to their community? Let us know!
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The Brewers of Pennsylvania is a nonprofit trade association that brings together leaders of Pennsylvania-based breweries in order to promote and protect the brewing industry in the state. Established in 2011, the Brewers of Pennsylvania serves the consuming public of Pennsylvania by encouraging brand diversity in the market. We believe in the nobility of brewing and hold dear the great traditions and history of Pennsylvania brewing.
Photo credits, top to bottom: Victory Brewing Company, Weyerbacher Brewing Company, Cliff Plank
