Event focuses on organic food, opposed to genetically modified crops
“Think Global. Drink Local.” The slogan sums up the sentiment and activities of this year’s Microbrews for the Environment.
For 15-years-running, the Boulder Theater entertains a sold-out crowd determined to put their money and thirst to a good cause.
The benefit has raised nearly $90,000 since its inception and this year’s event benefits Everybody Eats!, Center for Native Ecosystems and CU’s Environmental Center.
Twenty Colorado microbreweries opted to support the event, with selected beers available for one dollar. There will be a variety of beers, with all proceeds going directly to the three local organizations. Each brewery brings two-to-four beers for the patrons to enjoy.
“Redfish is bringing an organic IPA and New Belgium is also bringing a new organic wheat beer,” said Sarah Engel, a senior and the brewery coordinator for the event.
Breweries have individual stations and patrons receive a commemorative pint glass. Attendees wandering from station to station can interact with the brewers.
The event produces zero waste and zero emissions. Zero waste is not difficult to achieve, as brewers bring beer in reusable kegs and patrons use pint glasses at the different stations. The event achieves zero emission by purchasing renewable energy in the form of wind power. Just $100 covered buying back the energy used in last year’s event.
The theater also features games and information booths. Music by opening band 8trac and Great American Taxi, featuring former Leftover Salmon singer, starts at 9:00 p.m.
Engel is excited about the different beers and good music the benefit provides.
Everybody Eats! opposes genetically modified foods and crops. The non-profit organization decided one of the most important things to focus on in Boulder County is the price of farmland. The agriculture land in Boulder is typically only leased to very large farms.
A goal of the group is to get small farmers onto country-owned land.
“The local food concept has erupted. Local food has surpassed organic food. People are starting to look at what you do as an individual to have the smallest impact on the environment,” said Dave Georgis, director of Everybody Eats!
The money raised from the event will ensure that the organization has enough money to continue the support of local food in Boulder County.
“The event is not a typical concert, it is for a cause. There is certainly a following. The audience loves beer, loves the planet and loves music,” said Marianne Martin, coordinator of Microbrews for the Environment.
Contact Campus Press staff writer Kathleen Straney at Kathleen.Straney@thecampuspress.com.
