1,200+ Breweries Make a Beer to Help Victims of Deadly CA ‘Camp Fire’

Natural Society

The Resilience Butte County Proud IPA campaign out of northern California is bringing together breweries from across the nation to brew 1 very special beer and donate 100% of the proceeds from the sales of that beer to those struggling to get back on their feet after the Camp Fire incident in California.

The deadliest wildfire in California’s history, the Camp Fire, is now contained, but the catastrophic blaze claimed 88 lives, burned 153,335 acres, and destroyed tens of thousands of structures. Many people lost everything and question how they will ever be able to rebuild their lives. That’s where more than 1,200 American breweries come in to provide some relief. [1] [2]

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company started brewing Resilience IPA on November 27 and began sharing the recipe with other brewers, and by November 29, more than 1,000 brewers from coast to coast had agreed to also brew the ale.

Sierra Nevada hoped that 500 breweries would participate in the campaign and donate the funds to recovery efforts. They’ve far exceeded that goal, and the movement shows no signs of stopping. [3]

In an online post, the company said: [2]

“We are working with malt, hop, and yeast suppliers to provide raw ingredient donations to all participating breweries and are asking those breweries to donate 100% of their sales to the fund, as well.”

The Sierra Nevada Brewing Company is based in Chico, located just west of Paradise, the town devastated by the Camp Fire.

Sierra Nevada founder Ken Grossman said in a statement:

“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.”

It appears that Grossman’s dream is coming true. Craft breweries across the country are climbing aboard the Resilience IPA campaign and taking to social media to show support. [3]

Oskar Blues Brewery said on its Twitter account:

“We’re supporting the Butte County community by brewing #ResilienceIPA.”

Louisiana brewery Abita Beer tweeted:

“We’re joining our fellow breweries in supporting those impacted by the Camp Fire by brewing #ResilienceIPA.”

Midsize breweries are participating in the campaign, as well, including the likes of Anheuser-Busch-owned Goose Island Beer Co. and Miller Coors-owned Blue Moon Brewing Co.

Outside of the proceeds from Resilience IPA, Sierra Nevada has also set up its own relief fund to help those affected by the Camp Fire. The brewery teamed up with Golden Valley Bank Community Foundation to launch a relief fund with an initial $100,000 seed. [2]

In a note on Sierra Nevada’s website, Grossman said:

“Once the fire is out, we will distribute all donated money to partner organizations that are dedicated to rebuilding and supporting the communities that have been affected.”

For you beer connoisseurs out there, Sierra Nevada spokesperson Robin Gregory says Resilience IPA is a “really classic” West Coast-style India pale ale made with Centennial and Cascade hops. [3]

“If it’s going to be raising money to rebuild our community, we felt like it should be a taste of home. We wanted to go with that classic danky west coast IPA … (that is) fresh, piney, citrusy, hop-heavy, and nice and bright.”

Cheers to that.

Want to try Resilience IPA? There’s a full list of participating breweries on the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company website.

Sources:

[1] Time

[2] CNN

[3] USA Today