As the war in Ukraine rages on, many BC craft breweries are responding to an international brewery effort to raise funds for those affected by the war.
The primary effort is led by Lyviv, Ukraine-based Pravda Beer Theatre. Pravda put a call out to breweries around the world asking them to raise money for humanitarian relief in Ukraine by brewing beer using one of Pravda’s recipes. The response has been fantastic as many BC craft breweries were inspired to collaborate with one another and launch special fundraiser beers for Ukraine. There have also been a few BC craft breweries that launched Ukraine fundraiser beers with their own special recipe.
As you keep Ukraine in your thoughts, keep an eye out for these beers and raise a glass to the mighty people impacted by the war.
Lower Mainland Collaboration: Ukranian Golden Ale
This beer was led by Rick Dellow of PoCo Brothers Brewing after he got his hands on Pravda’s award-winning recipe for a Ukrainian Golden Ale.
To bring the beer to life, Dellow organized a collaboration with Main Street Brewing, Five Roads Brewing, Deep Cove Brewers and Distillers, Brassneck Brewery, R&B Brewing, Tinhouse Brewing, and Boardwalk Brewing. This teamwork has resulted in 24 kegs of this beer being distributed to the breweries involved. Each brewery will be launching the beer in its own unique way, so make sure you follow them on social media for all the details.
$2 from every pint sold plus all the money raised from the sale of the kegs will be donated to people in Ukraine through the charity World Central Kitchen.
Loveshack Libations and Hornby Island Brewing: Ukrainian Bottle-Conditioned Imperial Stout
Loveshack Libations and Hornby Island Brewing are working on a “San to Don,” a bottle-conditioned Ukrainian Imperial Stout from one of Pravda Beer’s award-winning recipes.
“Besides collapsing hop filters and running out of boil kettles, the brew went well,” says Loveshack owner and brewery Dave Paul. “It has been patiently bottle conditioning for a couple of weeks now. We’ve tried a bottle or two (not at once–9.3% ABV 60 IBU–good for sharing!) and it’s coming along nicely.”
They’re aiming to release it in a month or so–keep an eye out! Proceeds go to humanitarian relief in Ukraine.
Kootenays Collaboration: Ukranian Golden Ale, Putin is a D*ckhead
Torchlight Brewing, Angry Hen Brewing, Backroads Brewing, Tailout Brewing, and Nelson Brewing Company teamed up to brew Putin Huilo (which roughly translates to “Putin is a Dickhead”). This Ukranian golden ale is also a result of efforts by Pravda.
All proceeds go to humanitarian relief in Ukraine and there are two labels available:
- Putin is a Dick label, which is available at the breweries and in select stores.
- Putin Huilo Label, which is only available through the brewery.
Jackknife Brewing and Unleashed Brewing: Ukraine-Inspired Lemon Honey Wheat Ale
Jackknife Brewing and Unleashed Brewing’s collab beer was launched before Pravda’s call-out. Jackknife brewer Mike wanted to celebrate his Ukrainian heritage with a beer that gives back. They created KUTYA, a lemon honey wheat ale inspired by a Christmas dish that Mike’s dad, Don, would make every year.
It’s a sweet, zesty golden ale with loads of white wheat and oats, conditioned with smashed lemons and buckets of local honey.
All proceeds from this beer and their sticker sales will go to fund OutRight Action International, an organization that helps to support LGBTQ+ folks who are displaced by the war in Ukraine.
Camp Beer Co. and Mainland Whisky: Beer Whisky
Mainland Whisky is teaming up with Camp Beer Co. to help Ukraine. They are collaborating on a special beverage release: Beer Whisky (ВІСК ДЛЯ УКРАЇНИ). Partial proceeds raised from the 26ers of Beer Whisky will be given to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation. To reserve a bottle, visit mainlandwhisky.com.
Container Brewing’s Ukraine fundraiser beer (now passed)
Container Brewing created a special beer called Frau Ribbentrop, a Belgian-style wit brewed using the golden ale recipe shared by Pravda Beer. All proceeds from this beer will be donated to help support Ukrainians. They also collaborated with Russian Spoon for a “beer and pierogi” day. Russian Spoon donated 200 pierogies, along with volunteers to cook them at the brewery. 100% of the profits will go to the Maple Hope Foundation.
Natalie Gates is the Newsletter and Blog Editor for the BC Ale Trail. Based in Campbell River, BC, she’s also a freelance copywriter for small businesses. When she’s not writing up a storm, she’s probably plotting her next meal or enjoying a crisp craft lager at one of her favourite breweries. You can connect with her on Instagram, LinkedIn, or at her website nataliegates.ca.
