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Craft beer people are the best.
One thing you realize about the craft beer community after being a part of it for a while is that it is full of outstanding people. Sure, there are a few jerks, but by and large, the craft beer world is full of some of the kindest, most helpful and generous people you’ll ever meet. It’s quite common to hear of one local brewery helping out another when a need arises.
The recent Camp Fire in Paradise, Butte County, California was not far from Chico, home of the granddaddy of craft beer, Sierra Nevada. Like anyone, I was stunned and saddened by the loss of life, property, and forests. When I heard it was near Chico, the beer guy in me immediately wondered if Sierra Nevada Brewing was in the line of the fast-moving fire. Sierra Nevada survived, but some of their team members lost everything to the fire.
In a move that will not surprise anyone who follows Sierra Nevada, they jumped into action to help the victims. They donated $100k to the relief fund, used the Chico taproom to prepare and serve Thanksgiving meals, and came up with the idea for the world’s largest collaboration brew. Today, November 27, AKA Giving Tuesday, breweries from all over the country are brewing the same beer, Resilience Butte County Proud IPA. Over 1,000 breweries are brewing this beer. Some you’ve heard of like Revolution, Firestone Walker, and Brooklyn. Some you probably have not heard of, like Iron Goat in Spokane, WA (stop by if you’re ever in Spokane, they are cool people).
Major malt and hop companies like BSG, Briess, Country Malt Group, Crosby, Steiner, and YCS are donating materials. Local brewers all over the country are giving their time and tank space to brew the beer. The Camp Fire relief effort receives 100% of proceeds from the sale of the beer.
I know of at least six Nashville, TN breweries participating, and I’m looking forward to drinking a few from each to support this effort. Everyone is brewing today. It should be ready just in time for Christmas. Drink up, my friends. It’s for a great cause. If you want to help now while the beer is fermenting, you can contribute directly to the local relief fund.
More details are available on Sierra’s website.
Cheers!
