Craft breweries join international relief effort “Brew for Ukraine”
Ukraine | Shortly after Russia’s invasion on 24 February 2022, the Ukrainian craft brewer Pravda, which is based in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, released the recipes for five of its best-selling beers, encouraging other breweries to use them to raise money for its cause.
They are the dry-hopped ale Putin Huylo (an insult aimed at the Russian president); Syla - a Belgian tripel; Red Eyes - an American red ale; Frau Ribbentrop - a Belgian witbier; and From San to Don - a Ukrainian imperial stout. The goal of the “Brew for Ukraine” campaign is to raise USD 4 million for humanitarian relief efforts.
It appears, via Facebook, that homebrewers as well as breweries around the world, including several in the US, Canada, UK, France, Poland, and Sweden, have taken up Pravda’s cause already. Whether they brew Pravda’s beer or their own recipes, proceeds will go to relief organisations.
BrewDog offers its support too
On 11 March, BrewDog joined the movement with its own beer called United For Ukraine. All revenue will go to Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC). "This is a small gesture of solidarity but it’s important we show we are united with the people of Ukraine and stand against this appalling and unforgivable act of aggression. Their lack of love for Putin is well documented, great to see breweries of all sizes join in,” BrewDog’s post read. The new beer is a 5.2 percent ABV New England IPA. A 12-pack of the limited-edition brew will cost GBP 16.95 (USD 22.40) and will be dispatched from 4 April onwards to those who have placed pre-orders online.
In solidarity with friends and colleagues in Ukraine, several industry figures have set up a website, to raise funds for the Red Cross humanitarian relief effort in Ukraine.
Cory McGuinness, the former head brewer at Pravda Beer Theatre, has set up a crowdfunder at gofundme.com, which hopes to raise USD 50000 for Pravda.
Alcohol and martial law
Before the invasion of Ukraine, Pravda (established in 2014) was an award-winning craft brewer, which produced about 10 000 hl beer annually. During the early weeks of the invasion, Pravda’s taproom served as a media centre for press conferences as it was banned from brewing and selling beer under martial law. On 19 March, the alcohol ban was lifted in Lviv and Pravda’s taproom was packed again, serving its proper function, the Times of Israel, a newspaper, reported.
