#BeerForGood: Beer Sales to Aid Wildfire Victims

The craft beer community is coming together to aid those directly effected by the most destructive wildfire in California history. Through a fundraising initiative created by Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., over 1,400 independent breweries are taking part across the country to brew a beer called Resilience ‘Butte County Strong’ IPA. And, 100% of the beer sales will go directly to the wildfire victims via the Sierra Nevada Brewery Camp Fire Relief Fund at the Golden Valley Community Bank Foundation. It’s the first of many stories in our #BeerForGood Series where we feature breweries who are doing their part to give back.

Resilience ‘Butte County Proud’ IPA

The wildfire dubbed the ‘Camp Fire’ started in the hills above Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.’s Chico facility on November 8, 2018. The fire burned over 153,000 acres, killed 88 people and destroyed more than 9,700 homes. Nearly 14% of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co’s employees in their California facility have been displaced. While The Camp Fire is mostly contained, dangers still affect this already devastated region. Torrential downpours caused flooding and mudslides.

“We know that the rebuilding process will take time, but we’re in this for the long haul. Our hope is to get Resilience IPA in taprooms all over the country to create a solid start for our community’s future.” – Ken Grossman, Owner, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

This example of resilience is so inspiring. And, it’s uplifting to see a brewery owner lead his team to act and help those vulnerable individuals. People who need assistance getting back on their feet and rebuilding their lives.

I met Ken Grossman in person and had the opportunity to hear him speak at the 2016 Meeting of the Malts. He was inspiring! Ken is completely down to earth, forward-thinking as well as passionate about craft beer and those in its community.

A Letter to U.S. Brewers

A heartfelt request to join in on the Camp Fire fundraising efforts was sent out nationally earlier this month to brew Resilience IPA. Here’s an excerpt:

“As you may know, on November 8, the Camp Fire broke out near the town of Paradise, California, and within minutes raged through the community, obliterating a football field per second of everything in its path, destroying nearly 10,000 homes, killing many residents and leveling the town of 27,000 people. The fire is still raging on, but it is already the most destructive wildfire in our state’s history. Although Chico and the Sierra Nevada brewery were spared, the Camp Fire has devastated neighboring communities where many of our employees lived.

I’m writing to ask you to participate in a nationwide fundraising effort to support impacted communities. Sierra Nevada has created a beer called Resilience IPA. We’re inviting you to brew a version at your brewery and sell it at it your Pub or Taproom, with 100% of the proceeds going to support those impacted by the Camp Fire.”

– Ken Grossman

Participating Breweries

The invitation was overwhelmingly embraced by over 1,400 breweries who mobilized to brew their version of Resilience IPA. Some breweries even held a collaboration brew day with fellow breweries closest to them. All were eager to take time out of their already busy schedules to brew on Giving Tuesday, November 27.

A big CHEERS to all these brewers who are passionate about their local craft beer community AND the community across the whole country. The industry is known for it’s inclusiveness, camaraderie and giving back to those in need.

Pennsylvania Breweries Respond

Just in our home state of Pennsylvania, 68 breweries and counting have announced their intent to brew Resilience IPA. Just to rattle off a few: Troegs Independent Brewing, Molly Pitcher Brewing Co., Ever Grain Brewing Co., Millworks Brewery, Zeroday Brewing Co., Pizza Boy Brewing Co., Spring House Brewing Co., Twisted Bine Beer Co., Cox Brewing Co., Fetish Brewing Co., Moo-Duck Brewery, Union Barrel Works, Wacker Brewing Co., Mad Chef Craft Brewing, Columbia Kettle Works, Black Forest Brewery, Lancaster Brewing Co., Funk Brewing, Bube’s Brewery and Pour Man’s Brewing Co.

We reached out to some of the breweries involved that are ultra close in proximity to us. Millworks, Ever Grain and Molly Pitcher teamed up to brew the Resilience ‘Butte County Proud’ IPA.

From Left to Right: Tim Fourlas (Brewer & Co-owner, Molly Pitcher Brewing Co., Manuella Rustler (Brewer, Ever Grain Brewing Co.), Jeffrey Musselman (Brewer, Millworks Brewery), Bruce Tanner (Brewer, Ever Grain Brewing Co.), Mike Moll (Sales Manager & Co-owner, Molly Pitcher Brewing Co.), and Greg Bowermaster (Brewer, Molly Pitcher Brewing Co.)

“The craft beer industry is lucky to have some of the most active, supportive and generous consumers. So it was only natural to collectively outreach to as many people as possible and provide an easy way to support such an important cause. Our collaboration is a fraternal way for the central PA community to help another community in dire need. We thank Sierra Nevada for putting such an amazing program together and including breweries across the nation to participate,” says Mike Moll, Co-Owner & Sales Manager of Molly Pitcher Brewing Co.

“I know it’s been said a million times about the brewing community: we are in this together. When we harness our craft for a good cause, that is even better.” – Jeffrey Musselman, Brewer at Millworks Brewery

“When Sierra Nevada reached out to the craft beer community for help in this effort, we were honored to pitch in. Sierra Nevada has done so much to help start this craft beer movement and to help sustain it,” noted Bruce Tanner, Brewer at Ever Grain Brewing Co. “To be able to give back to them, even in a small way, was a plan we were proud to be a part of.”

Jeffrey also added that “it was a fun day brewing and hanging out with other great local brewers for a great cause. When you can connect nationwide with over 1,400 brewers who are making essentially the same beer on the same day, that’s super cool!”

Zeroday Brewing Co. also did their own batch of Resilience IPA and expressed similar sentiments on their Facebook page. “We are excited to be a part of this project and proud of the entire brewing community across the nation for participating in such a great cause.” You can get Zeroday’s version at their taproom December 20th.

Map of Participating Breweries

Bookmark our page. Then, check back to see the map of plotted points grow and grow!

Would you prefer to scroll through a Participating Brewery list?

Do Your Part

#1: Buy the Beer

“The brewing community has really come together in this large-scale fundraising effort,” said Sierra Nevada founder and owner Ken Grossman. “Now we’re asking drinkers to come together and help us raise funds by buying the beer. And what better way to do it than with a nationwide pint night?”

If the beer sells out in all the taprooms across America, the project could raise more than $15 million for direct Camp Fire relief.

SIERRA NEVADA BREWING CO.’S VERSION OF RESILIENCE IPA

Releases late December/early January with limited distribution. Look for the can at your local distributor. Don’t see it? Ask them to order Resilience IPA.

BUY LOCAL BREWERY’S VERSIONS

Each brewery who made their version of Resilience IPA will have it available on DRAFT ONLY in their taprooms. No cans or keg distribution allowed. To find release dates, follow the breweries on social media. Let’s all drink for a good cause!

#2: Pre-order a T-shirt



BUY T-SHIRT

#3: Show Solidarity & Homebrew Resilience IPA

Sierra Nevada has put together a homebrew recipe for Resilience IPA. Sweet, right?! You can’t legally sell homebrew. But you can raise awareness by posting photos on your social media spaces of the brew day and beer. Use these hashtags in your posts, grams and tweets:

#ResilienceIPA #ButteStrong #BeerForGood #BrewLife

#4 Spread The Word

PLEASE SHARE THIS PAGE ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO HELP SPREAD THE WORD 🍻 #ResilienceIPA #BeerForGood