Four Local NJ Breweries Collaborate to Feed Local Families

Pennsauken, NJ -- Four local breweries have come together again to brew a collaboration beer with all of the proceeds going to charitable organizations. Double Nickel Brewing Company of Pennsauken, NJ is continuing a tradition they started last year, teaming up with Cape May Brewing Company (Cape May, NJ), Tonewood Brewing Company (Oaklyn, NJ), and Urban Village Brewing Company (Philadelphia, PA) for a charity brew, a “Pot-Luck Style IPA” called “Friends Giving”, which will be released November 2nd. 

Friends Giving is an initiative of Double Nickel’s charity CollaborAid. 

“CollaborAid and the Friends Giving initiative are our way of turning a little creativity, camaraderie, community, and collaboration into support for local families in South Jersey and the Philadelphia region who are struggling to put food on the table,” says John Dalsey, Director of Marketing at Double Nickel and President of CollaborAid. 

Borne from a brainstorming meeting at Double Nickel, Friends Giving quickly grew from a casual beer name suggestion into what is now an annual charity initiative.

“We came up with the idea while working on names for our November beer release,” says Drew Perry, Head Brewer at Double Nickel. “Some pretty unexciting names were thrown around, but, when someone said ‘Friends Giving’, the thought came up that it could be a cool name for a collaboration between multiple breweries rather than what has more traditionally been between just two breweries. As we talked about it some more the ‘Giving’ piece naturally fell into place as the suggestion of doing it as a charity fundraiser was brought to the table.  From there it has just ballooned into a much bigger concept that we’re all incredibly excited about.”

When approached with the proposed plan, Cape May, Tonewood, and Urban Village were quick to join the cause. From there, other suppliers and vendors with whom the breweries regularly deal were contacted about helping to maximize the efforts. Most were willing to assist with varying donations of ingredients, packaging supplies, discounted services, and the like.

“The most gratifying aspect of this initiative is that our suppliers jumped on board,” says Chris Henke of Cape May Brewing Company. “A collaboration between four breweries easily became an alliance of 16 companies with local ties attempting to raise as much money as possible. It’s a testament to what we can achieve in our industry when we work together, think positively, and work toward a common goal.”

Brewed on October 8th, the brew is being called a “Pot Luck IPA” -- a term coined during a planning session, which refers to the fact that each brewery involved brought an undisclosed variety of hops to the brew day. This year’s brew includes Amarillo, Cashmere, Vic Secret, and Centennial.

There are a number of events planned to celebrate the release of this highly-anticipated beer. The initial 16-ounce can and draft release will be held on November 2nd at the tasting room of Double Nickel Brewing Co. with a party from 3pm-6pm. An additional Philadelphia event will be held at Urban Village Brewing Company on Saturday, November 9^th. A special Friends Giving launch party will also be held Friday, November 15^th at a TBA South Jersey bar. Each event will feature representatives from all four breweries and will include giveaways, raffles, and the opportunity to purchase limited-release merchandise.

Following the November 2nd release of the special collaboration brew, Friends Giving will be available on draft and in 16-ounce cans at retailers, bars, and restaurants throughout the New Jersey and the Philadelphia area.

The proceeds from Friends Giving will be donated to three local charities: Cathedral Kitchen and Virtua Mobile Farmers Market, both of Camden, NJ, as well as Philabundance of Philadelphia. Each organization was chosen for its mission to feed struggling families throughout the area each of the breweries calls home. 

Last year the initiative raised over $75,000 to assist families, and this year the goal is to exceed that number.

The mission statement for CollaborAid is as follows: To turn creativity, camaraderie, community, and collaboration into support for local families who are struggling to put food on the table.

The Breweries:

Double Nickel Brewing Company - Pennsauken, NJ

Cape May Brewing Company - Cape May, NJ

Tonewood Brewing Company - Oaklyn, NJ

Urban Village Brewing Company - Philadelphia, PA

The Beer:

“Pot Luck Style IPA” - Double Dry Hopped IPA:  7% ABV; 15 IBU​
 

Malt Bill: 

-Pilsner

-Wheat (Locally sourced: Rabbit Hill Farm)

-Rye (Locally sourced: Rabbit Hill Farm)

-Oat
 

Hop Bill:

-Amarillo

-Vic Secret

-Centennial

-Cashmere

Charitable Organizations:

Cathedral Kitchen - Camden, NJ

Virtua Mobile Farmers Market - Camden, NJ

Philabundance - Philadelphia, PA
 

Contributing Partners:

Suppliers who are making this possible by donating goods or services (in no particular order):

Rabbit Hill Malt House- Malt

Kramer Beverage- Distribution

Ritchie & Page- Distribution 

Yakima Chief Hops- Hops

Can Source- Can Sleeve (essentially the printing on the can)

PakTech- PakTechs (the 4-pack can carrier)

Country Malt Group- Malt

Zuckerman Honickman- Cans

Mid-Atlantic Packaging Inc.- Case Trays (boxes)

Special Partnerships:

For the portion of money raised that goes toward purchasing protein food items Dietz & Watson will double the value of the donation in meat and food products. 

Related Events:

Friends Giving Brewery Launch/Release – Saturday November 2, 2019 

Double Nickel Brewing Company

1585 Rt. 73

Pennsauken, NJ 08110
 

Philadelphia Friends Giving Release Party – Saturday November 9, 2019

Urban Village Brewing Company

1001 N. 2nd Street

Philadelphia, PA 19123
 

Friends Giving South Jersey Party – Friday November 15, 2019

TBA

###

About Cape May Brewing Company: 

Once upon a time, 20-something Ryan Krill earned a six-figure salary working in finance and real estate development in Manhattan, while his college roommate, Chris Henke, designed commercial satellites. During a summer weekend at the Jersey shore, they brewed a batch of beer with Ryan’s dad. “Should we open a brewery?” Ryan asked, only half-serious. But, by the following year, the three guys had secured a space at Cape May Airport where they concocted a makeshift brew system and honed their beer-making skills. In 2011, they started with one client. Today, there are hundreds of accounts in New Jersey and Pennsylvania proudly serving the guys’ award-winning recipes. And CMBC’s fearless leaders have never looked back. 

ABOUT DOUBLE NICKEL:

Double Nickel is a South Jersey-based brewery creating traditional and emerging style beers, drawing inspiration from the past but adding our own modern style. Since opening our doors in October 2015, Double Nickel has quickly become a local favorite with its award-winning beers, can design, and tasting room. Stay up to date about Double Nickel by following us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/doublenickelbrewingco/?hl=en