Brew for Ukraine; Pravda, Baerlic, Threshold, & Rogue rally to help refugees amid war
Portland, OR’s Threshold Brewing & Blending, and Baerlic Brewing, as well as international beer brand Rogue Ales, have all launched various beers and fundraisers in support of the Ukrainian people in light of the unprovoked Russian invasion on their country. Meanwhile Pravda Brewery that is actually located in Ukraine has opened up their recipes of its main award-winning beers and is inviting brewers around the world to brew them.
Brew for Ukraine Victory Beer Series
Pravda Brewery went viral on social media for sharing their efforts to turn their beer bottles into molotov cocktails and offering citizens and non-Russian soldiers shelter and solace in their brewpub. After their grassroots efforts hit the mainstream media the brewery has been flooded with publicity, and offers of help and support. They have now launched the Brew for Ukraine project, similar to similar efforts like Black is Beautiful.
Pravda is based in Lviv, Ukraine, and is no longer brewing beer as the fight comes to their doorstep and alcohol is forbidden during the crisis. Pravda invites prominent craft breweries to join them for on-line brewing sessions and they will live stream some of them.
To this aid Pravda is sharing recipes and labels for their beers Putin Hylo (dry-hopped strong ale), Syla (Belgian-style Tripel), Red Eyes (American Red Ale), Frau Ribbentrop (Belgian-style Witbier), and From San to Don (Ukrainian Imperial Stout.) The brewery only asks that you donate proceeds to one of their selected relief funds. More info on the Victory Beer Series and Brew for Ukraine here.
Rise for Refugees with Threshold Brewing & Blending
Brewer/co-owner Jarek Szymanski of outer southeast Portland brewery Threshold Brewing & Blending is from Poland where currently Ukrainians fleeing the war are seeking refuge. At this point over 1 million Ukrainians have fled their homes and country over the past few days with Poland welcoming nearly half of these individuals. With both friends and family from Ukraine and Poland this is a crisis he and his wife co-owner Sara Szymanski are intimately familiar with. On Wednesday, March 16th they have organized a celebration of both cultures and a fundraiser for Union of Ukrainians organization and the families and refugees currently sheltering in the Polish border city of Suwałki.
The event will feature music from local Polish band Zabavva, traditional ‘Pączki’ filled donuts and Polish cakes, hand-painted Ukrainian Easter eggs, Polish-style beer and Zapiekanka menu from Threshold and a raffle including Polish pottery, wine and specialty beer.
Union for Ukrainians is an organization led by Polish humanitarian Anna Samoilenko who has been working closely with the people of Poland to help Ukrainian families escape the war. Many are on foot and their needs are changing minute by minute: food, baby formula, diapers, medicine, basic hygiene items, legal services, transportation and anything that helps with proper care and accommodation. To donate directly: https://www.freefunder.com/campaign/rise-for-refugees
Rogue Ales raises a glass to F*#K Putin
For Newport, Oregon based Rogue Ales the Ukraine invasion hits close to home. Rogue president, Dharma Tamm’s family was in Estonia when they were displaced during the second Russian invasion of that country in 1944. The company has also not been shown to shy away from a little controversy, so they have thrown down some select words for the Russian leader with a new draft-only beer called F*#K Putin. The Northwest IPA is brewed in support of the Ukrainian people with 100% of the proceeds benefiting Global Giving’s Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund which helps local, trusted nonprofits provide vital access to education, food, medical services, and more. F*#K Putin is now available on tap at all Rogue pubs, and many are clamoring for it to be packaged and merchandise to be made. F*#K Putin Beer Specs: 61 IBU 6.5% ABV
Baerlic Brewing looks to match $10K fundraiser goal for Ukraine
Portland’s Baerlic Brewing has launched a push to raise $10K in donations at their pub or via their online webstore, a sum that the brewery pledges to match. That means up to $20K could be distributed evenly between Razom for Ukraine, The International Rescue Committee and the World Central Kitchen. In a statement Baerlic co-founder Ben Parsons wrote “The horrific images of an unnecessary war are ongoing as the citizens of Ukraine fight for their very lives. So far more than 1 Million refugees have fled to safety, while millions more are currently in harm's way. And with no end in sight…they need all the help they can get.”
Razom For Ukraine - Razom, which means “together” in Ukrainian, believes deeply in the enormous potential of dedicated volunteers around the world united by a single goal: to unlock the potential of Ukraine. Razom works towards that mission by creating spaces where people meet, partner and do.
The International Rescue Committee - Over 1 million refugees have been forced to flee Ukraine. The IRC is on the ground in Poland supporting displaced children and families with vital supplies. Your gift will help us provide food, medical care and emergency support services to refugee families in countries like Ukraine, Afghanistan, Syria, and Yemen.
World Central Kitchen - WCK serving thousands of fresh meals to Ukrainian families fleeing home as well as those who remain in the country