Brewers join effort for fire relief

Four local craft breweries have partnered together to raise funds benefiting victims of the Camp Fire in California.

Blind Tiger Brewery, Happy Basset Brewing Co., Iron Rail Brewing Co. and Norsemen Brewing Co. are putting "Resilience Butte County Proud IPA" on tap for a limited time with 100 percent of the proceeds going to victims' aid.

Each brewery is making their own batches of beer, using the same recipe. It will be served until the taps run dry.

“As we watched the news on the fires in California, we knew we had to do something to help," said Marne Craver, owner of Happy Basset. "As soon as we heard about this opportunity, we wanted to jump in.”

The brewers said they were inspired by Sierra Nevada Brewery in Chico, Calif., which spearheaded the concept. With their contributions, Sierra Nevada Brewery is hoping to focus on long-term community rebuilding support, calling their call to action a "bat signal" for all other craft brewers.

“One of the best aspects of the craft beer movement is the sense of community, camaraderie and brotherhood among our members, large and small," said Jay Ives, owner of Blind Tiger Brewery. "This is true here in the capital city, as well as across the country. When a need emerges like the plight of the thousands affected by the Camp Fire in northern California, and the call goes out from one of the most respected members of our movement, it was easy to decide to participate.”

Jared Rudy, owner and brewer of Norsemen Brewing Company, said he isn't aware of any other industry that works together on so many levels of collaboration. Since asking for help, more than 1,400 breweries signed up to produce the IPA.

Malt and hop suppliers donated ingredients to breweries nationwide, and by mid- to late-December more than 17,000 barrels will be brewed.

“This sort of effort by the brewing community is what brewing and the craft beer culture is really all about," said Don King, brewmaster at Iron Rail Brewing Co. "We’re honored to be able to be part of it.”

The Camp Fire, named for the Camp Creek Road where it started on Nov. 8, destroyed more than 18,800 buildings, burned over 239 square miles, caused the evacuation of more than 52,000 people and resulted in the deaths of at least 85 people.

It was the most devastating fire in America in the last century, and damages have been estimated at more than 10 billion dollars. The fire was contained on Nov. 25.