Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Sly Fox Brewing takes a stand against cancer
Creates ale to raise funds for the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation
Sly Fox Brewing Co. has joined with the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation to create a new brew with a cause.
Alex’s Lemon Wheat Ale is named for Alexandra “Alex” Scott, who when she was just 4 held her first childhood cancer fundraiser in her front yard and raised more than $2,000 with a lemonade stand. In the 12 years since it was established, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation has raised more than $150 million.
Production on Sly Fox Brewing Co.’s Alex’s Lemon Wheat Ale will begin in March, with the finished product available in late March or early April, according to Sly Fox Brewing Co. president and managing partner John Giannopoulos. It is a new, citrus-infused hefeweizen that the brewery will distribute on draft and in 12-ounce cans.
“We’re really excited about it. We try to do things to help
“I am so proud to be part of this effort. It means a lot to me that they have entrusted her name to me. I hope this connects widely with our customers.” – Sly Fox Brewing Co. Sales Manager Mark Weinmann
others and this seemed like a good fit. Alex’s Lemon Wheat a good fit,” said Giannopoulos.
A portion of the proceeds from sales of the beer will go to the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. According to Giannopoulos, the company will donate $1 for every case sold. He added that a formula will be used to determine how much from each keg is donated.
The idea to do something with and for the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation came from Sly Fox Sales Manager Mark Weinmann. It’s an idea he has had in
his mind for several years — to collaborate on a beer to honor Alex Scott and to raise funds for Alex’s Lemonade Stand.
Weinmann and his family lived in the same neighborhood as the Scott family and met prior to Alex Scott’s 2004 passing at the age of eight. Weinmann met Jay Scott, Alex’s father, when Scott came to Weinmann’s aid to remove some big trees from his property during a winter storm. As time went on, Weinmann kept thinking about his idea.
It wasn’t until he joined Sly Fox two years ago that Weinmann was able to put the idea into motion by pitching it to Giannopoulos.
“Mark feels strongly
about it. Mark is personal friends with the family and it is personal for him,” Giannopoulos said. “He brought the idea to me and I said yes. He worked with Jay (Scott) and they were able to put something together.” Scott, along with his wife Liz, are co-executive directors of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.
“I am so proud to be part of this effort. It means a lot to me that they have entrusted her name to me,” Weinmann said. “I hope this connects widely with our customers.”
Sly Fox Brewmaster Brian O’Reilly said the company experimented with lemon and tested dozens of flavor samples before deciding to put “a new spin on a
traditional style.”
Sly Fox elected to brew a wheat beer with natural lemon oil and lemon zest instead of an extract, typically cloying or soda that adds sugar to the process, according to a press release.
“Slowly adding different amounts to the recipe, the brewers evaluated aroma and flavor to develop the most natural, refreshing and flavorful result,” the release reads.
“Americans often enjoy hefeweizen with an orange or lemon slice so the recipe made sense,” said O’Reilly. “It was our goal to produce the most natural and authentically delicious ale for the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation partnership. I think people are really going
to enjoy this inspirational beer.”
Sly Fox attended the foundation’s Lemon Ball in January. As it did last year, the brewing company shared beer samples at the formal yellow-tie event — but with a twist.
“This year we built a full Alex’s Lemonade Stand, brewed up a prototype batch of Alex’s Lemon Wheat, and gave out samples at the ball,” Giannopoulos said.
Weinmann said the feedback from Sly Fox distributors has gone really well as the company has talked about the product.
“We’re now talking to bar managers and restaurants — and that is going well, too. In fact, some of them
are talking about contributing to the foundation on their own,” Weinmann said.
The 2018 Alex’s Lemonade Stand Lemon Ball was attended by 850 guests and raised more than $800,000. Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation is dedicated to raising funds for research into new treatments and cures for all children battling cancer.
“I want to show what a great new avenue we can create for research,” Weinmann said. “My daughters are four and six, and anything I can do is such an honor. It makes me proud.”
Email business story ideas to business editor/ writer drovins@21stcenturymedia.com