It can be difficult to even think about beer right now when the world is rising up around the unjust deaths and mistreatment of people of color. Protests are springing up worldwide, political lines are being drawn, and people are just trying to breath. But as usual the craft beer community is coalescing over beers to support causes like the Black Lives Matter movement and other important issues regarding police brutality.

As of now, the list of Oregon and Washington participants in supporting the cause is small and we have surely missed a few. We encourage you to get involved and send us an email about how you are doing so! #blacklivesmatter

'Black is Beautiful' Benefit Beer

Black owned Chicago, IL brewery Weathered Souls Brewing has launched the 'Black is Beautiful' benefit beer, a collaborative project that encourages breweries nationwide to participate. The base recipe is available for free, but Weathered Souls encourages participants to add their own spin on it. The main ask is for breweries to donate 100% of the beer's proceeds to local foundations that support police brutality reform and legal defenses for those who have been wronged. Each brewery that participates is asked to choose their own beneficiary but to engage in the ongoing dialog and promotion of the cause.

Oregon breweries making a Black is Beautiful beer:

• Great Notion Brewing
• 2 Towns Ciderhouse
• Deschutes Brewery
• Moonshrimp Brewing - making several gluten-free dark beers with proceeds going to police reform.

In Washington, Burke-Gilman Brewing and Gold Handle Project have both signed up.

We expect this list to be updated and growing fast, check the website for more info on this cause, how to get involved, and who is getting involved. https://blackisbeautiful.beer/

OREGON

Allegory Brewing

McMinnville's Allegory Brewing has already reopened for on-premise service with limited hours, and for the entire month of June they are donating $1 per pint sold to Don't Shoot PDX, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, and Campaign Zero.

Ecliptic Brewing

Friday through Saturday, June 6th, Ecliptic Brewing will be donating 10% of all restaurant sales to their neighbors at Self Enhancement, Inc.
In their words, SEI is a comprehensive, one-stop resource for youth and families, primarily African Americans and others, living in poverty or seeking culturally responsive services. Established by Tony Hopson, Sr., a lifelong North Portland resident and community leader, this local nonprofit is dedicated to guiding underserved youth to realize their full potential. 

Level Beer

Bartender Josie Hischar has pledged to donate all of her tips this weekend from June 5-7th to NAACP, Dont Shoot Portland and the Urban League of Portland. Level Beer has offered to match those donations, so a $1 tip actually equals $2 to these great organizations.

Bailey's Taproom

The dowontown PDX taproom and bottle shop has put together a donation page on their online store and the company will match any donations made of $50 or less. You can choose where you want you money to go as well, the options include Dont Shoot PDX, Black United Fund, Campaign Zero and Color of Change.

Additionally Bailey's is donating 30% of all delivery sales to one of these organizations of your choice at checkout. So place an order for beer pick-up or delivery and add some funds on to support the movement.

Imperial Bottle Shop & Taproom

If you buy any FiftyFifty Brewing Company Eclipse barrel-aged imperial stout bottle from them ($25 retail) they will donate the full $25 to the George Floyd Memorial Fund. Only 40 bottles in stock, (see the website for a list of available varieties). Imperial does same day delivery or pick-up from their SE Portland location on Division, or next day delivery from the NE Portland Alberta location. And they are even waiving the $5 delivery fee. Check out our website for details on delivery/pick-up: imperialbottleshop.com

Rogue Ales

This weekend all Rogue pubs are donating a portion of their sales to the Coalition of Communities of Color.

Great Notion Brewing

A portion of this weekends sales will be donated to Color of Change to help support their efforts in fighting racial injustices.

Tulip Shop Tavern

The N. Portland beer bar has been donating a portion of their sales to different organizations every day. Check their instagram for updates and details.

Migration Brewing

Has already donated $1,885 to the NAACP.

WASHINGTON

Cloudburst Brewing

In support of the nationwide protests to shed light on pervasive, systemic racism, they will be donating 10% of this weeks sales at the beer stand to Black Lives Matter.

Reuben's Brews

The popular Ballard brewery is donating $1 for every 6-pack, 4-pack, crowler or growler, or pair of 22oz bottles of beer sold from their taproom to Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County.

Reuben's Brews is also giving away 10 copies of Ijeoma Oluo's book "So You Want to Talk About Race." Everyone who purchases beer or donates to BLM (no purchase required) this Thursday to Sunday will be eligible. Reuben's will randomly select 10 transactions during this period to receive a copy of this wonderful local author's book. Purchases can be made at The Taproom or online at reubensbrews.com/shop .

Future Primitive Brewing

Now through Wednesday, June 10th, Seattle's Future Primitive Brewing is donating 10% of all window sales to the The Bail Project.

Are you a brewery, taproom, or beer related business that is taking part in a Black Lives Matter or similar fundraiser or benefit? Send us a line with info to newschoolbeer@gmail.com

Check out the George Floyd Memorial Fund: https://www.gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd