Reposted from Maine Biz.
Foundation Brewing and Orono Brewing are collaborating on a special release of Earth Day-centered IPAs to benefit clean water efforts in the state, they announced in a news release this week.
The beers will be released during an all-day event this Saturday, April 20, at the Thirsty Pig in downtown Portland to benefit two clean-water initiatives: Maine Brewshed Alliance, a coalition of brewers and the Natural Resources Council of Maine that was launched in March; and Sebago Clean Waters, a grassroots effort to protect water quality, community well-being and the health of fish and wildlife in the Sebago watershed through voluntary forestland protection.
Proceeds from Foundation's Pale Blue Dot IPA will benefit Sebago Clean Waters, while Orono Brewing's Love Your Planet IPA will benefit the Maine Brewshed Alliance.
"Our water is amazing, and it comes from Sebago Lake," John Bonney, co-owner of Foundation Brewing, said in a news release. "It is not only the most abundant and important ingredient in our beer, but the clean water of the lake is critical to the overall health of the greater Portland community. By partnering with Sebago Clean Waters, we in the brewing community hope to raise awareness of the importance of protecting our lakes, rivers and streams. It is part of what makes Maine a special place."
Abe Furth of Orono Brewing added: "It's a great feeling to be part of the Maine Brewshed Alliance and to know that we're able to help protect the beloved Maine Waterways that we rely on both for quality of life and for business."
Both special-edition IPAs will be also available for purchase at the breweries' tasting rooms.
Coalition's mission: Protect clean water
Representatives from 13 of the state's breweries gathered at Maine Beer Co. in Freeport in March to announce the Maine Brewshed Alliance, which aims to protect the state's water.
In March, craft brewers from around the state announced a partnership with the Natural Resources Council of Maine to form a coalition committed to help protect the state’s waterways.
Representatives from 13 of the state’s craft breweries Wednesday in Freeport announced the launch of the Maine Brewshed Alliance, which in partnership with the Natural Resources Council of Maine, will help educate customers and the public about the role clean water plays in beer production, and to support policies and programs that protect Maine waters.
The effort is fashioned after similar ones in Oregon and Washington state, the group said in a news release following the launch, which took place at Maine Beer Co. in Freeport.
Maine Brewshed Alliance has 13 brewery members, but the goal is to include as many of Maine’s more than 100 craft brewery brands as possible, a news release about the launch said.
The founding members are Allagash Brewing, Austin Street Brewery, Bissell Brothers Brewing, Definitive Brewing, Foundation Brewing Co., Geary Brewing, Goodfire Brewing, Maine Beer, Orono Brewing, Oxbow Brewing, Rising Tide Brewing, Sebago Brewing and Shipyard Brewing.
“Clean water is one of Maine’s most important natural resources, and it’s one of the most important reasons why Maine is home to so much great beer,” Maine Beer founder Dan Kleban said at the March news conference. “None of us standing here today takes our clean water for granted. We all have a role to play, and today, I am proud to help announce that Maine brewers are stepping up to the plate and saying: ‘We’re in!’ We are committed to helping protect the watersheds that are cherished by all of us who live, work, and play in Maine.”