A sampling of the Colorado craft beer makers giving back to the community

Thirst Staff Report

To learn about another charitable Colorado craft brewery, read this week’s story about Lady Justice Brewing.

Oskar Blues Brewery’s Can’d Aid organization gathers volunteers to make a positive impact in the community – whether it’s curating a love for art and the outdoors or getting water to those who need it most. This is done by maintaining multi-use trails, donating bikes and skateboards to children, donating musical instruments, and much more. The organization has also donated more than 2 million cans of drinking water to people in need throughout the U.S. With recycling and sustainability efforts, such as tree plantings, river cleanups, and recycling, the equivalent of 73 million cans have been recycled.

The organization is also currently partnering with Berthoud Brewing on the Berthoud Adaptive Park Project, which is creating the first fully accessible public playground in Berthoud.

Left Hand Brewing Foundation

The Left Hand Brewing Foundation was launched in response to the flooding Boulder County faced in 2013. The group raised $76,000 in relief efforts for Longmont. The company now supports primary needs, community support groups, arts and cultural activities, housing projects, medical research, and issues and emergencies in Longmont and beyond. They continue to donate a portion of profits from festivals to specific beneficiaries, and host any local non-profits at the event for free. The Foundation has partnered with Love Hope Strength, Longmont Humane Society, and The Future Arts Foundation, to name a few.

Breckenridge Brewery

No matter how or where you bought some Breckenridge beer last year, some of your money probably went to charity. In 2021, the brewery gave $1 from every tour to the Colorado Chapter of Canine Companions for Independence, the largest nonprofit provider of service dogs in the world. One percent of all summer beer proceeds went to the National Parks Conservation Association. The Breck Brew Women in Beer Chapter helps provide educational opportunities for women in craft brewing. Since 2018, the chapter has brewed a beer every year for International Women’s Day, with $1 of every pour funding a scholarship for women in the Beer Industry Program at Metro State University. Brewery employees also volunteer on trail cleanups and other projects.

14er Brewing

The brewers from 14er Brewing are all about making crushable beer that still allows for an active Colorado lifestyle. Located in RiNo, one percent of brewery sales are donated to the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative, a non-profit based in Golden that builds and maintains hiking routes, and educates hikers on sustainable recreational practices.

Odell Brewing

Odell Brewing Company is committed to giving back to charitable partners and making a positive impact on the environment. The team focuses on providing support and resources for at-risk children, single-parent families, the elderly, and disenfranchised community members, as well as organizations that protect and preserve the environment. Some recent partners include The Growing Project, Wilderness Restoration Volunteers, The Gathering Place, and Cultural Enrichment Center of Fort Collins – an organization that addresses the needs of middle school and high school African American students in Fort Collins.