Working in collaboration with Rochester’s Rohrbach Brewing, Seven Story Brewing is pouring this IPA benefiting the fire victims from the Camp Fire in Northern CA and I couldn’t be prouder. Having moved away from Sonoma after the 2017 fires, and returning to my hometown, I have witnessed the destruction from these immense fires and help is badly needed.
When the Camp Fire started in the hills above Sierra Nevada’s Chico brewery on November 8th, it soon became the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history. The fire burned more than 153,000 acres, killed at least 85 people, and destroyed more than 13,000 homes.
The fire was located near Chico and luckily left Sierra Nevada’s brewery unscathed. The fund raising efforts came about as the result of a letter that Sierra Nevada founder, Ken Grossman, sent out to several breweries asking for their participation. These breweries committed to brewing the beer and donating 100% of the sales to the Sierra Nevada Camp Fire Relief Fund, aimed at long-term community rebuilding support.
An overwhelming 1400 breweries responded and here in Rochester, Rohrbach and Seven Story Brewing stepped up to the plate. That cannot be said enough.
I met with Casey Donlavey, co-owner of Seven Story and sampled the IPA. He explained that it’s a west coast IPA which has an earthy, piny and hops finish. Unlike east coast brews which are lighter, juicy with citrus notes, it’s full bodied and meaty. When asked why Seven Story got involved, “even though we don’t have a connection to those who lost everything, it’s a classic case of people losing all they own, so we had to participate.”
For those of us here in Rochester, Seven Story Brewing is a charming brew pub located in Bushnell’s Basin in a historic house on the banks of the Eri
e Canal. Opened since August of this year, they named Seven Story for the Great Embankment that was built along the shore to level the canal in this basin and at 70 feet, was quite the engineering accomplishment in 1822. They also name their beers for the seven basic plots of storytelling and quiz their patrons on which one is which. With live music three nights a week and a homey interior, it’s a winter timeout. During the summer, located on the bike path and with a dock on the canal, its bustling with outdoor decks and more music.
The owners are passionate, knowledgeable and welcoming. I can’t say enough about this neighborhood feel-good pub.
While they’re pouring this fundraising IPA, I hope you stop in and buy a pint or two for this very worthy cause. And then and try some storied brews.
Opinions of the author are her own and products were purchased or otherwise noted for discussion. I welcome your comments and suggestions for food and specialty items from upstate New York and can be reached at: linda@anexpatreturns.com
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