Any number of “do-gooder” organizations love to throw stones at the world’s breweries. In its defense, however, the brewing industry as a whole has given billions of dollars to numerous noble causes. Many churches, Turners Clubs, and hundreds of thousands of United Way dollars have grown, thanks to seed monies donated by breweries and their employees. Many great collectables are now available that showcase the many good deeds and civic duties performed by the brewing industry.
On more than a dozen beer cans, the Yuengling Brewery has supported and commemorated the fire departments that serve its home state of Pennsylvania. Years ago, the Henry Ortlieb brewery (located in Philadelphia) raised money for firefighter and coal-miner charities through sales of commemorative beer cans.
For years Anheuser-Busch has supported the Jerry Lewis Labor Day telethon for Muscular Dystrophy. Joseph Schlitz Brewing Co. used to be a large sponsor and contributor to the fight against Cerebral Palsy. These two breweries issued various bank-top cans, which were used for collecting donations to these charities at selected retail locations around the country. Anheuser Busch also prints various shamrocks, which can be purchased at retailers for one dollar, with the proceeds going to find a cure for MD.
A “Can”-Do Attitude
On more than a dozen beer cans, the Yuengling Brewery has supported and commemorated the fire departments that serve its home state of Pennsylvania. Years ago, the Henry Ortlieb brewery (located in Philadelphia) raised money for firefighter and coal-miner charities through sales of commemorative beer cans. The Rock Bottom Brewpub chain raises over $75,000 each year for various firefighter charities. Each Rock Bottom pub brews a Fire Chief Ale and monies are raised during a release party and sales of commemorative pint glasses.
During the aftermath of the hurricanes in the Gulf region last year, the Abita Brewery produced Fleur-de-lis Restoration Ale. The brewery donated $1 to the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation for each six-pack sold. A variety of pins, hats and ribbons—all with logos supporting New Orleans—were issued and 100 percent of the net proceeds from these items went to the fund. Each year, Anheuser-Busch and Miller package thousands of cases of clean canned water, which is sent to disaster-relief efforts around the country.
