Drink beer and do some good! Ales for ALS, a national program organized by the ALS Therapy Development Institute, Loftus Ranches and Hopunion, is coming to you favorite local breweries.
Never heard of Ales for ALS? Here’s how it works: Loftus Ranches, a hop farm, and Hopunion, a hop supplier, work together each year to create an experimental hop blend that participating craft brewers across the nation then use in a special brew. Subsequently, proceeds from the sale of that brew go towards ALSTDI, the world’s leading ALS research organization.
The program has grown immensely since its launch just three years ago. Ales for ALS raised over $300,000 dollars last year, and this year, over 75 breweries from 25 states will partake in the fundraiser. Participating breweries in Minnesota are Excelsior Brewing Co. in Minneapolis and Voyageur Brewing Co. in Grand Marais.
Voyageur Brewing Co. released their special ale at a beer release party June 23. The brew, a Summer Ale with notes of citrus, will be available through August and $1 from each pint sold will go towards the program.
Excelsior Brewing Co. will release their ale on the first of July. The company has named their special brew “Biscuit Pants Session Pale Ale,” honoring the nickname of the famous baseball player with the most well known case of ALS, Lou Gherig. $2 from every pint of this beer will go directly to ALS research.
Head to either (or both) breweries this summer to enjoy some delicious craft beer, and help raise money and awareness for this debilitating disease.
