Portland Pint of View
Oregon microbreweries generous in giving back to community
August, 1999by Michael Rasmussen
Give to Your community Ð Drink a Microbrew Today!
Almost every corporation has a philanthropic department charged with corporate giving . These departments manage the charitable giving for the corporation. Typically these departments manage a fixed amount of cash that the corporation hands out in the form of grants. People seeking money from the corporation must figure out who gives to their cause, either by research of tax returns, annual reports, corporate communications or books like "Foundation Fundamentals: A Guide for Grantseekers."
At least three of Oregon's microbreweries donate cash to local community causes based not on leftover profit but on a fixed amount of cash for each case of beer sold. So every time you buy a case of Bridgeport, Full Sail, or Nor'Wester beer part of the cash you hand over is directly destined for a good cause.
When Steve Goebel of Saxer purchased the Nor'Wester brand name, he wanted to reinforce the notion that Nor'Wester is a truly Oregon beer. Part of the makeover was cosmetic. Labels on the beer went from graphics to photographs by famed Oregon photographer Ray Atkeson. But a deeper and often overlooked change was Saxer's commitment to donate a buck a case to SOLV Ð Stop Oregon Litter and Vandalism. A dollar for every case of beer sold is quite a chunk of change out of the brewery budget. That money goes to the organization founded in 1969 by then Governor Tom McCall to help keep Oregon livable.
Bridgeport is celebrating 15 years of business here in Oregon. They decided that funding great causes was an appropriate part of their 15 year celebration. Rather than pick one cause to benefit from the sale of microbrew, they've picked three, and will rotate their donations through them. So at differing times this year you'll be able to support a bird by "flipping the bird." Drinking a Blue Heron, or other Bridgeport, Ale will send some money to the Audubon Society of Portland. Providing housing for low income people will come from donations to Habitat for Humanity. Public television in Portland and Seattle are also scheduled for contributions. Remember Ð each of these causes will get cash based directly on the sale of beer.
Employee-owned Full Sail brewing has an ecological twist to its philanthropy. They contribute 5 percent of the proceeds from their natural box half and full cases to the Pacific Rivers Council's Campaign for Coho. There's a double effort here. First Full Sail uses unbleached, post-consumer recycled paper to manufacture their natural box packages. This is part of the brewery's commitment to reduce the environmental impact of their business activity. The cash contribution supports PRC's efforts in improving the overall ecological health of our region as measured by the health of the aquatic systems that flow through the area.
Now, I'm sure that other Oregon (and Washington) breweries donate to worthy causes. Full Sail, BridgePort, and Nor'Wester show their commitment by earmarking proceeds from the sale of cases of beer from their entire line. Hopefully in a future issue we'll be able to report on other breweries taking the same action and giving you another reason to enjoy locally brewed beer.
In the last issue, we printed a list of places to enjoy micro brews outdoors in Portland. At least one place was forgotten Ð the Raccoon Lodge (7424 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy, Portland ph. 503-296-0110). We deny the accusation that we were trying to keep the spacious picnic area out behind the Raccoon lodge a secret for our own benefit. However, if you spend an afternoon in the picnic -like atmosphere of the Raccoon, you'll understand if we were tempted to do so. It's definitely a place to have on your list for the next time you seek a brew and the sun at the same time.
