Brew competition to help Watershed Council

Cheers! Could there be an easier way to support conservation initiatives?

Albertans are being invited to enjoy a taste of the West Coast, while backing a Lethbridge-based organization.

The Oldman Watershed Council has been named Alberta winner of a benefit brew competition sponsored by Phillips Brewing and Malting in Victoria.

John Martin, spokesperson for the non-profit group, credits strong online support for the victory.

“Five environmental non-profit charities competed head-to-head to win their very own signature brew,” he explains. “We were just happy to be part of it.”

But the Lethbridge group drew more support than its competitors in Calgary and Edmonton.

“You have to rally your community,” and that paid off.

Now the Oldman Watershed Council will be featured on the label of a brew being marketed across the province.

Martin says that means it could receive an estimated $10,000 or more from sales through the spring and summer. “I think it’s great for the community.” He says the Phillips brewery — creator of Blue Buck, Electric Unicorn, Tiger Shark and other imaginatively named brands — has been supporting non-profit groups for a number of years. But this year, it’s focusing on environmental causes and introducing an Alberta competition in addition to one in its home province.

Now directors of the watershed council have the pleasant task of deciding which projects to support with the additional cash, he adds.

“We have all kinds of summer projects,” in addition to the council’s ongoing work.

To support that work, Martin says, Albertans can look for Phillips brands in local liquor stores. Some of their draft beers are already on tap here, he reports.

Meanwhile a public event is being planned for spring, though details are not yet confirmed.

“We’re going to have a release party,” once the signature labelled beer arrives.

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