This blog is primarily about the drinking culture here in Cincinnati, especially our craft beer community. But right now, I want to look up North to Dayton. Much more than our neighbors, Dayton has had a rough summer to say the least. As much as like siblings, we can have our fun bickering back and forth, or pretending like we actually care who has a better beer scene – but my heart hurts for the shit that they’ve had to deal with the last few months.
These are the moments that craft beer shines brightest, and it’s time to showcase who we are as a bigger community.
#DaytonStrong IPA
The Dayton Brewery Alliance is still pushing their relief efforts by collaborating on a beer that they are calling #DaytonStrong IPA. All of the beer’s proceeds will go to the Dayton Foundation as part of a massive ongoing effort to help Dayton area people in need after the devastating tornados that passed through the area over the Memorial Day weekend this year.
Several breweries are making version of the beer to serve in their taprooms and to sell to other member breweries of the Alliance. Warped Wing is also canning more than 1000 cases of the beer to distribute out to a market that is eager to help out.
This beer represents a lot for Dayton, and for the people involved. While an IPA can never fix what the tornados did, and can never heal the incredible pain from the tragedy in the Oregon District – it can bring people together behind a cause that reminds us who we are as ONE community.
The can design is purposefully minimalistic, designed to not overshadow what the Alliance is trying to do. This is about their friends, their families, and their neighbors. The can reads:
Through darkness comes light.
Through fear comes compassion.
Through tragedy comes triumph.
I can’t begin to put into words how important projects like this are to me – and if you do anything, support things like this when you see them. This is why we fill taprooms, why we line up for releases and crack open cans with friends.
The Release
The beer will have a sneak peek release at the Yellow Cab Beer! Event on Friday, August 16th followed up by a taproom release at all the Dayton Area breweries on Saturday the 17th. Starting on Monday, August 19th Warped Wing will start distributing cans only to bars, restaurants and retail accounts.
They couldn’t have done any of this without support from Tripack, LD Carlson, Century Label, Country Malt Group, John Pattison and the Brewer’s Supply Group.
