Ales for ALS is proof that collaboration and cause beers can still have a major impact.
The Smith Family, owners of Loftus Ranches and an owner of Yakima Chief Hops (YCH), launched the Ales for ALS program more than a decade ago, inspired by personal experiences with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Each year, Loftus and YCH create and donate a unique hop blend that is used by participating breweries, who then craft their own beer and donate a percentage of sales back to the Ales for ALS program. The money is then donated to the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI), helping support ALS research.
In the latest edition of A Round With, our Brewbound Insider-exclusive Q&A with industry leaders, Ales for ALS national director Mike Shannon talks about recent milestones (such as reaching $1 million for the first time), how brewers can be the best partners and misconceptions about ALS.
Below is the full Q&A, edited slightly for clarity:
Ales for ALS started more than a decade ago. How has the program evolved since 2013?
Mike: In our first year, back in 2013, we had 75 brewers and raised about $125,000 for ALS research at ALS TDI. In 2024, we had 325 brewers involved and raised $1.1 million. In addition, last year was the first-ever year that we have had Ales brewers in all 50 states.
It’s a testament to the power of the brewing community and their desire to give back to a worthy cause.
How have you kept the program fresh to encourage more breweries to participate (and consumers to keep buying beers)?
Mike: We’re always looking for ways to make it easier for brewers to join. We’ve introduced more automation to simplify the participation process and we now offer more merchandise and swag to brewers.
A big part of the program’s growth is also due to our focus on featured events. We now co-host over 45 events nationwide with participating brewers, bringing the program directly to new markets and connecting with consumers on a broader scale.
How does participating work for breweries/cideries?
Mike: Brewers typically request hops from us (YCH) after reviewing the current year’s unique blend. They then commit to brewing a specific volume of beer, which determines their contribution amount.
The beauty is that brewers have complete creative freedom – they design their own recipe and release their beer whenever it best suits their production schedule. We support their efforts through our marketing, helping to publicize their beer’s release. At the end of the year, we collect the committed donation, ideally by year-end, though sometimes brewers send their contributions at the beginning of the next year.
How is the experimental hop blend selected?
Mike: The blend is carefully selected either by experienced brewers from our program at events like the Great American Beer Festival, or, more commonly, by the Smith family (who founded the program) and special guests connected to Ales for ALS during the hop harvest season in Yakima. This ensures a unique, high-quality blend each year that inspires creativity.
What beers have you seen created from the blend?
Mike: Ales brewers have created everything from a barleywine to a hop water. Brewers typically try and create something that fits in their line ups and that would be a top seller in the taproom. Brewers have been creative in their process. I’ve tasted some beers with very high ABV that will knock your socks off and part your hair, and I’ve tasted the crispest, cleanest lagers too.
Are there any misconceptions people have about ALS or ALS research?
Mike: Mainly that ALS is a rare disease. Although the population of people with ALS is low, it is mainly because the population of people who die from ALS annually about equals the number who are newly diagnosed in a given year. Thus, the population doesn’t grow.
As an orphan disease, we’re still working toward highly effective treatments. However, it’s crucial to know that great strides are being made and researchers are diligently investigating various targets, bringing us closer to cures.
What are some of the program’s greatest accomplishments?
Mike: Since ALS is an underfunded disease, our ability to eclipse the $1 million fundraising mark for a calendar year is a huge accomplishment. Our goal is to get to $1.5 million, then $2 million through expanding events and seeking larger sponsorship opportunities.
And this year we are going to add over 25 Canadian brewers, and hopefully the same number in Australia, so we can truly become a worldwide movement.
Beyond helping do good, what benefits can breweries receive from participating in Ales for ALS?
Mike: We have really increased our marketing support to brewers who participate in the program. They gain from our collective branding and widespread outreach, hopefully attracting more eyes and drinkers to their locations.
Also, the founders of the program are very connected to the upper echelons of brewers in the industry, and by proxy and through involvement, brewers often make some very important and beneficial contacts directly from the program.
How can brewers be the best partners in collabs like this?
Mike: The most impactful way they can help is by spreading the word – whether it’s through word of mouth or by leveraging their industry relationships. By embracing their collective involvement and actively inviting other brewers to join us, they become powerful advocates for the program.
For information on how to participate in Ales for ALS, follow this link.