Over the years, one of the major reasons for the success and growth of the small, independent craft beer segment of the overall beer industry has been because of their commitment to the small communities that have supported them. I am proud to “toot our industry’s own horns” when it comes to this subject.
The slogans, taglines and company culture statements almost all boil down to just a couple of ideas….Drink Local, Support Your Local Brewery, Do you know who brews YOUR beer?…all of which are reflective of the small way craft brewers insert themselves into their local communities.
While the times they are a’changin for the big guys in our industry, we small locally-owned craft breweries continue to share our pride about being some of the most relevant, committed, community-minded businesses in town. Most of us completely believe it is our moral obligation to give back to the communities in which we Live, Play, Work and Volunteer.
Unfortunately, there are no true overall statistical measurements of the actual dollars microbreweries and brewpubs contribute to the quality of life to those less fortunate.
Prescott Brewing Company has had a culture of community since day one in 1994. We call it our Community Conscience and our beliefs are made pretty clear on the Community Conscience page of our website.
Prescott Brewing Company proudly believes that business owners have a moral responsibility to have a “conscience” for the communities in which we operate.
I don’t think there can be any doubt whatsoever about the huge outpouring from most of the Prescott area’s businesses.
Almost everyone has SOMETHING to give…whether it is time, physical abilities, money or simply an overabundance of the giving spirit. The ways to give back are endless. Craft breweries across the nation have that entrepreneurial spirit in the way they operate their businesses, their strategic planning, their financing resourcefulness , their innate abilities to build something, tinker something into usefulness, take the things from nature that provide endless opportunities for brewing the next new beer (fruits, unique grains, flowers, juniper berries, beets, carrots, herbs and spices)…AND they have the spirit needed to “think outside the box” when it comes to fundraising for a cause, supporting local non-profits and creating community partnerships that enhance the quality of life in their cities and townships.
Here are just a few of the many ways to give back…all of which Prescott Brewery Company (PBC) and breweries across the nation have displayed:
- Sponsorship of Events (golf tourneys, chili cook-offs, Gala dinner fundraisers, bike races, marathons, youth and senior sporting events, etc.)
- Participation in foodie (and beer!) tasting events
- Donations of gift certificates for raffles and drawings, often for other groups’ volunteer appreciation day picnics and luncheons
- Donations of goods or services (food for the homeless population and food banks, untold pounds of pasta for community or school spaghetti-dinner fundraisers, boxed lunches for Habitat for Humanity volunteer homebuilders, beer for a fire department’s annual chili cook-off)
- Service on community boards of directors and city commissions and committees
- Matching of employees’ donations (Red Cross, United Way, 911 relief, Community First Responders Charitable Foundations, Arizona 100 club, and list goes on and on)
- National Pints for Prostates support for the education and treatment of prostate cancer, Tastings for Tatas and other such breast cancer awareness fundraisers
- Alzheimer’s, cancer, March of Dimes and a host of other non-profit sponsored walk-a-thons
- Support for youth groups, youth activities, organizations dedicated to character building (Big Brothers Big Sisters, YMCAs, Boys to Men)
- Goods, services, gift certificates for raffles, etc., to help provide various camps for kids programs, especially in the Prescott area where so many such camps exist
- Beer-for-a-Year gift baskets, brewery tours and tastings at silent auction events
- Collaboration brews among small breweries coming together to create a bond between them and their communities
The largest and only statewide collaboration brew in Arizona, coordinated among more than 30+ Arizona Breweries was accomplished two years ago in honor of the fallen HotShot crew. Heroes 19 Ale was collaboratively brewed at PBC’s production plant out by the Prescott airport. Brewed with 19 different hop varieties, all donated by Arizona breweries, and with grain and specialty malts donated by some of our grain suppliers, all labor donated by the brewers themselves, and all distribution of the beer throughout the state donated by Hensley Beverage…your Arizona Craft Breweries raised more than $67,000 for the Firefighters Charities Foundation and Arizona 100 club. Despite some of the controversy that has ensued, it was the RIGHT THING TO DO, and we Arizona Breweries are proud that we paid that tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
I’ll end this sixth article with the hope that you’ve enjoyed reading about our amazing industry and the small business entrepreneurs who pioneered craft beer in Arizona back in the early 1990s, and where we are today. Support your local breweries! QCBN
By Roxane Nielsen
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