There are plenty of ways to say thank you—greeting cards, baked goods, a simple handshake—but Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. opted for beer. A recent addition to their year-round lineup is called Dankful IPA, and it’s all about hops and gratitude. On the 12-ounce can, below the hand-drawn letters of “Dankful,” a wavy ribbon declares “Generously Hoppy.”
That was always their plan: brew a West Coast-style IPA packed with seven different kinds of hops for notes of pine and tropical fruit. But as Sierra Nevada moved the recipe toward the finish line, a global pandemic was unfolding, its seriousness and longevity sinking in. Their goal became twofold: make Dankful taste good, but have the beer do some good too.
Sierra Nevada observed nonprofits stepping up for Covid relief, meeting needs real-time as normal life was upended. Organizations committed to their communities, offering hope by making tomorrow a little better. Through Dankful, the brewery decided to commit at least $1 million in donations through 2021 to spotlight nonprofits—to say thank you.
Furthermore, these dollars aren’t contingent on Dankful sales; it’s an unconditional Sierra Nevada pledge. “Our goal is to support communities in our backyard and beyond, with a focus on urgent needs for many people right now,” explained Sierra Nevada Vice President Sierra Grossman. “Dankful allows us to focus on what we do best: supporting the causes we believe in and brewing great beer.”
Sierra Nevada aims to partner with new nonprofits each quarter, allowing the Dankful program to be nimble and swift with support. And two Los Angeles-based organizations, focused on food security, are among the donation recipients so far. #HashtagLunchbag distributes homemade, bagged lunches—given to school children, front line workers, people experiencing homelessness, and others—complete with handwritten notes of encouragement. “[We’re] using food as a vessel for spreading love,” says Ajay Relan, founder and executive director of #HashtagLunchbag.
The Los Angeles Food Policy Council connects all corners of the community, from farmers and grocers to school districts and policymakers, in pursuit of fundamental changes in the local food system. Everyone deserves access to healthy food, the Council believes, grown in a way that respects people and the planet. You can learn more about how Dankful does good at www.sierranevada.com/dankful.