Purchase beer and assist Ukraine: Native brewers be part of international effort

As Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine continues, some Southwestern Ontario breweries are responding to a worldwide fundraising plea from a brewery in Lviv, Ukraine.

Damaged Rail Brewing in St. Marys is partnering with Woodstock’s Higher Thames Brewing to provide a beer whose earnings might be donated to humanitarian efforts in Ukraine, a part of a worldwide brewing initiative headed by Lviv-based Pravda Beer Theatre.

“The entire concept of this mission is for breweries all over the world to brew these beers and have all of the earnings return to Ukraine for among the humanitarian aid,” stated Ryan Leaman, co-owner of Damaged Rail Brewing.

The 2 breweries are amongst a handful within the London space — and tons of all over the world — contributing to the collaborative mission, referred to as Brew for Ukraine.

Late final month, Pravda requested breweries all over the world to provide one among their beer recipes to boost funds for the besieged nation. Leaman, who describes himself as a information and navy buff, noticed the decision for help on social media and instantly sprang into motion.

“As quickly as the primary photographs had been fired, it grabbed my consideration instantly. I knew I wanted to do one thing after which, once I stumbled throughout this, it was only a no-brainer.”

He added: “It’s one factor for me to activate the blue and yellow lights throughout the roof of my home, nevertheless it’s one other to truly get some funds the place they want (them).”

With manufacturing and logistics assist from Higher Thames Brewing, Leaman and his staff adopted Pravda’s dry-hopped golden ale recipe to brew and bundle almost 2,300 cans of their new beer, dubbed “Kyiv not Kiev.”

“We had been fortunate sufficient to have a few of our suppliers and companies provide their product free of charge, in order that’s actually helped hold the prices down,” he stated.

That features the brewery’s hop provider, the Tavistock Hop Co.; Northern Canning, a packaging firm; PRX Print that donated labels and helped cowl transport prices; and Launch Advertising Options that developed Pravda’s label and design into the brewery’s personal model.

“They’re all contributing in their very own method,” Leaman stated, including it helps “get as a lot cash to Ukraine as we are able to.”

Whereas particulars are nonetheless being finalized, Damaged Rail Brewing plans to promote the cans for round $4 every. On prime of the cans, the brewery, alongside Higher Thames Brewing, will carry kegs of the beer.

Cash generated from gross sales of Kyiv not Kiev will go to applications and organizations supporting refugees fleeing the battle, particularly girls and youngsters, Leaman stated.

Pravda Beer Theatre is positioned in Lviv, a metropolis in Ukraine’s west close to the Polish border, a key transit level for these fleeing the battle and for folks and provides headed to the entrance strains.

Different taking part breweries are London’s Equals Brewery and the Railway Metropolis Brewing Co. in St. Thomas, in accordance with the Brew for Ukraine mission web site.

The Native Journalism Initiative is funded by the Authorities of Canada

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