WARMTH ON TAP
La Cumbre, Marble co-sponsor coat drive for the less fortunate
La Cumbre Brewing Co. and Marble Brewery are teaming up to warm up the community.
The two breweries are coming together for a Spread the Warmth Coat Drive that kicks off Friday, Nov. 22, and runs through Dec. 21. The breweries will be collecting clothing items that will keep the less fortunate warm in the cold weather. They are asking for coats, scarves, hats, gloves that will help people in need keep toasty. Warm socks also are in high demand. New socks are preferred but the other items can be gently used.
“It’s a good time for people that are going to make those New Year’s resolutions and are going to lose a few pounds to donate those old coats and things that they’re not going to be wearing next year,” said Tammy Lovato, Marble brand ambassador.
Donations will be accepted at both La Cumbre locations, Marble’s West Side taproom and both Albertsons Markets in Rio Rancho. The donations will benefit St. Felix Pantry in Rio Rancho.
“Tammy and I, we’ve been teaming up doing tastings at stores in Rio Rancho for a couple months now,” said Josh Sayre, La Cumbre sales representative. “It was a way to have someone to hang out with while we sample our beers to customers. Tammy had a great idea of, ‘Why don’t we make these next couple (of events) go toward charity as opposed to just toward the companies we work for?’ So that was the start of it.”
The breweries decided to test out the coat drive in Rio Rancho before expanding into Albuquerque.
“We figured this would be a great test market to expand upon next year,” Sayre said. “We talked briefly about what we could do to expand what we’re doing because we see a lot of opportunities with collaborations. Monetary drives and that sort of thing. This is just a good test to see what kind of momentum we pick up from doing it.”
While stopping by La Cumbre to drop off a donation, guests can enjoy a special new release.
They can also wish the brewery a happy birthday. La Cumbre turns nine on Dec. 10.
“Our Anniversary week and a half will be Dec. 1-10 with events throughout the week,” Sayre said. “We will also be releasing a very special Hazy double IPA, Origin, on (Dec. 6). (It is) the first in a series of four. Our anniversary ale, To The Nines, (will be released on Dec. 7). Both of these will be taproom only releases.”
Marble patrons can drop off clothes as well as nonperishable food when they stop by the taproom. Marble is holding a food drive to benefit Roadrunner Food Bank. The food drive begins today and ends on Dec. 21. Guests can then enjoy two special releases during the coat and food drive periods.
“We have the release of our Reserve Ale coming out Nov. 21,” Lovato said. “(It is a) barrel aged American Strong Ale. We will also have the release of our barrel aged Imperial Stout coming up on Dec. 11. Tis the season for big, bold, barrel aged beers to keep us warm. These beers are a huge hit every holiday season and are sure to run out fast.”