SEATTLE — In 1998, Kendall Jones founded Beer Church with a mission to raise money for local charities while drinking beer and having a good time. Now, 20 years later, Beer Church is releasing its annual fundraising beer on Saturday, November 17. As in years past, the beer is available on draft, but this year the beer is also available in cans for the first time.
Beer Church Hazy IPA (6.5 % ABV, and 25 IBUs) is a collaboration beer from Airways Brewing, Georgetown Brewing, and Two Beers Brewing Co. that features Azacca, Comet, and Citra Cryo hops. Just 200 cases of this limited edition beer is being distributed to select Washington bottle shops. It is also available at the collaboration breweries’ tasting rooms. The official release event is Beer Church Turkey Bowl on November 17, an always-sold-out, annual fundraiser at West Seattle Bowl that benefits West Seattle Food Bank.
Kendall Jones and Kim Sharpe Jones, the folks who produce the Washington Beer Blog, operate Beer Church with the goal of uniting like-minded people (beer lovers) to benefit worthy causes. Over its 20-year history, Beer Church has raised well over $100,000 for numerous local nonprofits. This year, Beer Church aims to raise $10,000 through the sales of Beer Church Hazy IPA. Additionally, Columbia Distributing, the top Northwest beer distributor responsible for the distribution of beers from both Georgetown Brewing, and Two Beers Brewing Co., is matching the effort dollar-for-dollar, meaning the beer will raise $20,000 for the 20th anniversary of Beer Church.
Proceeds from the sale of Beer Church Hazy IPA benefit the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. “Community partnerships like these are essential to the Foundation,” said Jennifer O’Connor, Regional Director of Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. “Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis affect as many as 1.6 to 3.1 million Americans and are painful and chronic illnesses that can be very isolating. The dollars raised through Beer Church will help us bring more patient services to patients living here in the Northwest, while raising critical awareness for those who feel they are suffering alone.”
“Since the beginning, Beer Church has been about community,” said Kendall Jones, Beer Church founder. “Any community worth a damn ought to do some good for those around them. Compared to most industries, the beer industry operates with a real sense of comradery, and this year they really stepped up by donating resources, time, and money to produce this beer and support our efforts.”
Generous donations from Country Malt Group, Craft Canning, Hollingbery & Son, Inc. Hops, Imperial Yeast, Roy Farms, and Yakima Chief Hops provided everything needed to produce this community fundraising beer, from the ingredients to the cans.
Whether you are interested in using beer to promote greater good, or if you are just a fan of delicious, hazy IPA’s, or both, pick up a four pack of 2018 Beer Church Hazy IPA starting on November 17.
About Beer Church
The Beer Church mission is simple: create easy and affordable ways for beer loving people to contribute to worthwhile causes and foster a sense of positive comradery among people who enjoy beer. For more information about Beer Church, visit beerchurch.com or follow on Facebook (@BeerChurch)