NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Brew Works and the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy announced today the expansion of their philanthropic program created in 2017. The Tennessee Brew Works’ State Park Blonde Ale, made with 100-percent all Tennessee grains, was the first craft beer honoring our Tennessee State Parks, with a portion of sales proceeds going to the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy.
In 2018, after its first year of being released, State Park Blonde Ale sales accounted for a $7,000 donation to the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy, in 2019, the donation increased to $9,000 and in 2020, it is estimated donations will exceed $12,000.
In 2020, Tennessee Brew Works will further expand the growth of the program by increasing the distribution range of State Park Blonde Ale, growing the “Drink Beer. Give Back,” fundraising program and extending the Tennessee State Parks charity drive in the Tennessee Brew Works’ Taproom.
“Tennessee Brew Works was founded with a mission to create high quality craft beer that pays homage to the land, traditions and culture of Tennessee. Our relationship with the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy is based on those principles as our State Park Blonde Ale is made with 100-percent all Tennessee grain and benefits our 56 State Parks each day,” said Christian Spears, founder and president. “We owe a special thanks to our distributors and concessionaires including DET Distributing, Eagle Distributing, Ajax Distributing, Budweiser of Chattanooga, L&H Distributing and Delaware North for their continued support of this cause. We are also grateful for all the help from area retailers including: Honky Tonk Central, Rippy’s BBQ, Kid Rock’s Honky Tonk, Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, Wildhorse Saloon, Tupelo Honey, Cool Beans Bar and Grill, Sokno Taco Cantina, Central Flats and Taps, West Hills Flats and Taps.”
The teams from the Tennessee State Parks and Tennessee Brew Works met more than four years ago at the Nashville Farmer’s Market. Sharing a common bond of craft beer and aims to better our land and community, the teams became fast friends and found a way to benefit the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy through craft beer.
“We appreciate the work the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy does on our behalf, and we look forward to the parks continuing to benefit from the relationship,” Jim Bryson, deputy commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, said. “The Conservancy uses funds from the partnership with Tennessee Brew Works to support preservation of natural resources in our 56 state parks, so we are pleased with the success of the program.”
The State Park Blonde Ale was designed with the goal of creating a beer that was enticing to beer drinkers who traditionally consumed ‘macro’ beers, while keeping the craft beer drinkers still interested. The signature label of State Park Blonde Ale features a Tennessee State Parks trail guide, living legend and state naturalist, Randy Hedgepath.
On July 27, 2018, the teams from Batey Farms, Tennessee State Parks and Tennessee Department of Agriculture joined Tennessee Brew Works at the brewery to form the foundation of the Tennessee Grain Initiative. The goal of the Tennessee Grain Initiative is to develop a self-sufficient model for the Tennessee agricultural community by attracting area breweries (and distilleries) to locally sourced raw materials. They saw an opportunity to benefit the Tennessee State Parks as well by spearheading the effort using the State Park Blonde as a centerpiece, along with long-time favorite Southern Wit. Today, both beers are made with 100-percent all-Tennessee grains. This year, the brewery is also adding their most popular seasonal brew, Walk the Lime, to the list of beers using all-Tennessee grains. 
According to the Brewers Association, American craft brewers are not just good at making amazing, flavorful beer—they are also great at using their beer as a force for good. Today there are more than 5,600 breweries entrenched in thousands of communities sharing this common theme. Craft brewers advance our country one community at a time.
Craft brewers donated an estimated $92.6 million to charitable causes in 2018. The most recent figure is from the 2018 Brewery Operations Benchmarking Survey, otherwise known as BOBS, released by the BA in the second quarter of this year.
About Tennessee Brew Works
Tennessee Brew Works was founded in 2013 with a mission to create high quality craft beer that pays homage to the land, traditions and culture of Tennessee. They brew beers using only natural ingredients and source them from local farms whenever possible. Tennessee Brew Works is owned and operated by folks in Tennessee. They are guided by their motto: “We work hard to create high quality craft beer that makes Tennessee proud. Our culture places importance on family, friends, and community, and we hope you’ll be a part of it.” To learn more, visit Tennessee Brew Works at tnbrew.com.
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