Members of New England’s craft beer community are coming together and organizing community events to help victims of yesterday’s attack on the Boston Marathon.
Brewbound.com has learned of at least two local beer industry groups — Jack’s Abby Brewing and Beer Advocate — who plan to host charitable events for those affected by the Boston Marathon bombings on Monday.
Sam Hendler, the VP of sales for Jack’s Abby, said his company has organizing an event at The Tavern, a restaurant and bar located just a few blocks south of the Boston Marathon course. The event will feature donated beer from at least 14 craft breweries, including:
- Jack’s Abby
- Marshall Wharf
- Clown Shoes
- Cambridge Brewing Company
- Brash Brewing Co.
- Battle Road Brewing Co.
- Mercury Brewing
- Tree House Brewing Co.
- Night Shift Brewing
- Cape Ann Brewing
- Left Hand Brewing Co.
- Maine Beer Company
- Allagash Brewing
- Oxbow Brewing Co.
100 percent of the proceeds will be donated to a yet-to-be-determined charity.
“Most of the beer being donated will be poured on draft,” said Hendler. “We will also host a raffle of items donated by local breweries and beer shops.”
The event begins on Wednesday at 3 p.m. and will continue until 10 P.M. The Tavern is located at 102 Irving St., in Framingham, Mass.
The founders of Boston-based Beer Advocate, an online beer community featuring hundreds of thousands of user-contributed beer reviews, are also organizing an event to help aid victims injured in yesterday’s blast.
“We are talking to some local, craft-centric beer bars in the area and brewers from around the country,” said Todd Alstrom, one of the founders. “We are going to organize a major fundraising effort and will hopefully announce an official date tomorrow.”
Alstrom said he hopes to donate funds to either the American Red Cross or a charitable fund that he anticipates will be established for the families of local victims.
A number of other individuals involved in the Boston craft beer scene are also supporting the fundraising efforts. The Craft Beer Cellar, a high-end craft beer retail shop located in Belmont, Mass. has agreed to donate $1,700 that it had previously raised to help open a new retail location to victims and families.
Boston Beer Company, an official sponsor of the Boston Marathon, said it will donate profits from its 26.2 Brew, which was created specifically for the iconic race.
“In the wake of this tragedy, we will be donating any profit from our limited release beer, Samuel Adams 26.2 Brew, brewed specially for the Boston Marathon, and combine that with donations we receive from visitors to our Boston Brewery this month, to help relief efforts and yesterday’s victims,” said brewery spokeswoman Jessica Paar.
Chelsea, Mass.-based Mystic Brewery said it also plans to donate proceeds from its ‘Entropy’ beer release, scheduled for this Saturday, to victims. Somerville, Mass.-based Slumbrew will host a raffle at the Kinsale Irish Pub & Restaurant tonight. The company also plans to donate to a marathon victim’s charity.