Raise a glass to do-good craft brewers
America's craft beer industry has exploded. In fact, it grew 19 percent last year, according to the Brewers Association. Given all the options, your next brewski can be a tough choice. One way to narrow the field? Go with breweries that are giving back, and make that next beer count.
Two22 Brew
Two22's motto says it all: "Give where you live, drink what you love." For every $10 of profit, the Aurora, Colo., brewery gives $2.22 back to the Schuster Family Foundation, created by brewery owner Paige Schuster and her mother, Darlene, in memory of Paige's father, Leo, who died in 2004. The foundation supports Colorado organizations in the fields of education, environmental action and whole-person enrichment. two22brew.com
Stone Brewing Company
Since its founding in 1996, Stone Brewing in Escondido, Calif., has donated more than $3 million to charities and non-profits around the country. One way it does so is through daily brewery tours. A dollar from every ticket gets donated to a local charity. Stone also hosts an annual beer festival, from which 100 percent of the proceeds go to charity. stonebrewing.com
Appalachian Mountain Brewery
Belly up to the bar at this innovative Boone, N.C., brewery, where philanthropy is one of its three pillars — community and sustainability are the other two. The Pints for Non-Profits program donates a portion of every pint sold in the tasting room to a local charity. appalachianmountainbrewery.com
Brewery Vivant
This Grand Rapids, Mich., brewery is so serious about sustainability and giving back to the community that it prints its commitment right on its cans. Ten percent of profit goes to charities in the local community, and one day every other month, the brewery donates 25 percent of pub sales to a chosen non-profit. breweryvivant.com
Ex Novo
Ever heard of a non-profit brewery? Meet Ex Novo in Portland, Ore., which donates 100 percent of its net profits to various organizations. Partner groups work toward social justice. They include Friends of the Children, International Justice and MercyCorps, which, with Ex Novo's support, helps the Syrian refugee population. exnovobrew.com
