An update of brews and general fundraising throughout hospitality to help the people of Ukraine at this desperate time.
Greene King has donated £50,000 to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), which provides important support to the people of Ukraine, including food, first aid, clean water, medicines, and warm clothing. The DEC is made up of 15 member charities, including Action Aid, British Red Cross, and Save the Children, and they are experts in humanitarian aid.
“However, we also know that many of our teams are keen to donate what they can,” says the brewer and pub owner, “and so we have also committed to match-funding a further £50,000 of support to the DEC. Our teams, and members of the public, can donate through this link.”
The company says it is looking at whether it can offer employment opportunities to Ukrainian refugees when they come to the UK.
• Vocation Brewery discussed pulping the labels of its latest barrel-aged Russian imperial stout release, but decided to carry on and sell it, and to donate profits to the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.
A grist loaded with chocolate malt and roasted barley, coupled with an extended boil, are the key elements that set the foundation for this classic imperial stout. Flavours are of dark chocolate, roasted cocoa, oak, and a gentle smokiness, and the beer pours an oily black. Seven months resting in bourbon barrels has softened the finish, with notes of oak and vanilla.
• Newbarns Brewery has produced Citra Pale Ale for Ukraine (4.8% ABV). “We’re going to donate to the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, however if anyone has any other suggestions (especially of smaller, more targeted charities) then please let us know!” says the brewer. The can are available on the brewery webshop.
• Verdant Brewing is inviting people to donate to its fundraising initiative for Ukraine, and offering a unique bonus. One donor, picked at random on 30th March, will win original Putty 2022 artwork (pictured) by Alex May Hughes. You can donate at crowdfunder.co.uk/p/puttyartwork
• For every pint of Facer’s Brewery’s Pint for Peace (4% ABV) sold, the Flintshire brewer will donate £10 to help the children of Ukraine.
• Pope’s Yard Brewery, in Hemel Hempstead, has taken inspiration from Castlehill Brewery, in Ukraine, to create a fundraising milk stout. Milk stouts are popular in Ukraine, and the Pope’s Yard team love a dark brew.
“The CastleHill Brewery ones are especially nice, and we are so lucky that the brewers have let us brew our interpretation of one of theirs,” said Pope’s Yard on social media. “We tweaked the recipe a bit because the malts we get here are slightly different to the ones they use in Ukraine, but stayed as true to the original as possible.” The beer will be released soon.
• Brewhouse & Kitchen is donating 100% of the proceeds from sales of its seasonal cask ale to the DEC’S Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. The seasonal cask Amber Ale will be on sale in each of Brewhouse & Kitchen’s 23 brewpubs.
• Hops and Dots Brew Co is offering 15% off all orders over £20 from its webshop. Add a tip at the checkout and this will be added to a charity raising funds for Ukraine. Go to the shop here. Ten per cent of all webshop sales will be donated to help Ukraine.
• BrewDog has created a 5.2% ABV New England IPA called United. For. Ukraine. With a medley of tropical, fruit-forward hops, 100% of the revenue will go directly to those who need it, says the brewer.
