Boston

    So I have my next blog post pretty much ready to go, but honestly... this week I feel funny putting up a long post about beer laws.  So instead, because beer people are the best people, I want to highlight some of those in the craft beer industry that are going some pretty cool things to raise spirits as well as some money for the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing.

    My "home store", Craft Beer Cellar in Belmont, MA announced on Tuesday that they were going to donate money they had raised for their "New England Annex", a store they hope to open in Winchester featuring solely regional brews.  They also held a "community day" the same day where they offered food, sold MA beers at a 10% discount, and accepted further donations.  They're also accepting donations on their website, No Crap Beer, which Clown Shoes Beer has said they will match up to $1000.

    A couple of local breweries turned bottle releases into yet more donations.  Night Shift Brewing donated 10% of their proceeds from the release of their popular Ever Weisse.  Mystic Brewery is releasing Entropy this Saturday, and planning on donating their proceeds as well.

    The big one, of course, is "Buy Boston a Beer".  It all started on Beer Advocate when Marshall Wharf Brewing Company of Belfast, ME said they were bringing their 16oz can inventory to Boston on Wednesday, and challenged other New England Breweries to pitch in as well.  Jack's Abby Brewing quickly jumped in an secured The Tavern Framingham for a venue.  It all snowballed from there, with multiple breweries and retailers getting in to the mix.  Because they deserve it, here's a list of all the names I could find:

Maine Beer Company

Battle Road Brewing

Oxbow Brewing Company

Allagash Brewing Company

Shipyard Brewing Company

Cape Ann Brewing Company

Brash Brewing Company

Atlantic Brewing Company

Left Hand Brewing Company

Night Shift Brewing

Tree House Brewing Company

Craft Beer Cellar

Berman's Wine & Spirits

Redstone Liquors

Julio's Liquors

Clown Shoes Beer

Idle Hands Craft Ales

Cambridge Brewing Company

Ipswich Ale Brewery

John Harvard's Brew House

Samuel Adams

Sixpoint Brewery

Tuckerman Brewing Company

Armsby Abbey

Wormtown Brewery

Enlightenment Ales

    Sorry if I missed anyone, as these are all the names I could find.  The Tavern Framingham is devoting their entire day to this, as the event started when they opened at 3pm and will go until midnight.  All beers sold are $5, with 100% of the proceeds going to The One Fund.  Also, countless beer geeks and craft lovers donated some rare beers to raise money at auction.  "Buy Boston a Beer" was put together in just a day, so you can really see how amazing things can happen when good people put their best efforts into something.  Sorry, I meant great people.

    I should also note that Beer Advocate has stated they are planning another fundraising event to be held in Boston sometime soon.  Count on that, as well as several other heartfelt acts from the craft beer community in the days to come.  I've got a feeling that things are just getting warmed up.

    Until then, how about we thank these companies for what they're going by supporting them?  And while you're at it, support The One Fund.  Give through No Crap Beer and get your donation matched.  Support The Red Cross.  Give your blood.  Give your time.  Be like beer people.