The House That Beer Built: Denver Craft Brewers Raise Thousands for Habitat for Humanity

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hops for homes
Hops for Homes at Great Divide raised $14,000 for the House that Beer Built. (Emily Hutto)

It’s no secret that craft breweries give back to their communities. In 2016, U.S. craft brewers donated more than $73 million to charitable causes. This spring, dozens of Denver craft breweries are joining forces for the House That Beer Built, a partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver.

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You’ll see events and fundraisers at participating breweries in May and June. Hops for Homes, a festival organized by Great Divide Brewing, raised $14,000 for the House that Beer Built over the weekend. All ticket sales from Great Divide’s Hops for Homes Festival directly support Habitat’s partner families in the Globeville, Elyria-Swansea and Westwood neighborhoods of Denver.

“Breweries and taprooms have become community gathering places and we enjoy inviting people out to gather and have a good time in our space, especially when it supports a good cause,” says Matt Sandy, Great Divide’s events & partnerships coordinator.

(READ: Great American Beer Festival 2018 Ticket Sales Announced)

hops for homes
Hops for Homes brought together 30 Denver craft breweries. Ticket sales go to the House that Beer Built partnership. (Emily Hutto)

“Giving back to the community is a huge part of the Great Divide ethos and partnering with Habitat for Humanity on Hops for Homes allowed us to make a tangible difference in the neighborhoods where we live and work,” Sandy adds. “For us, as I’m sure it is for other breweries, Hops for Homes was not only an opportunity to help raise funds for an incredible organization but also a team-building exercise– we’re out there together on build days getting our hands dirty.”

Great Divide’s Hops for Homes festival featured 30 local breweries that poured an eclectic array of beers, including the crowd favorite Vivette, brewed with lactose and blackcurrant, from Woods Boss Brewing Company. Beyond the beer, Hops for Homes sported a giant cornhole board, a plethora of food truck options, and an 80’s dance party of epic proportions that broke out in periodic waves throughout the day.

Events like Hops for Homes will contribute to The House that Beer Built’s overall goal to raise $60,000 in 2018 through festival ticket sales and other promotional events taking place at its partner breweries. Find a Craft Brewery

(READ: 11 Breweries with Impressive Menus)

“The mission of this project is to bring the collaborative spirit of the craft brewing community together to do something great,” says Samantha Temple of Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver.

Join the House That Beer Built Events

Throughout the month of May, a portion of Great Divide’s proceeds will be contributed to this effort. Baere Brewing is donating one percent of all sales to support Habitat For Humanity. Launch Pad Brewery will donate $1 from every saison sold.

In June, Epic Brewing is contributing its anniversary party ticket sales to Habitat, and Spice Trade Brewing and Station 26 Brewing Co. will tap beers made for the cause. See more Denver brewery events raising money for the House That Beer Built on Habitat of Metro Denver’s website.

Emily Hut​to​ is the author of​ ​"Colorado's Top Brewers," and a contributor at "Zymurgy" magazine, among many other ​craft beer ​storytelling projects that you can read at emilyhutto.com.

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