Celebrating an organization’s centennial year is worthy of a year-long series of events, and that’s exactly what United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona is doing for its 100th anniversary.
The non-profit recently announced the upcoming release of a unique beer that’s been tailor-brewed by the local Ten55 Brewing Company — a fine way to commemorate the historic birthday. The UNITED Summer Ale will be available at restaurants and bars across southern Arizona beginning on Thursday, May 19.
Flavorful contributions
The crafty beverage is a “light, crisp, and seasonal sipper with a slight spice.” If you think about it, it’s perfect timing for a new release being that the weather’s getting warmer, the sun is shining brighter, and the days seem to be longer.
Also, it’s a loving way to show your support.
Ten55 Brewing Company will be donating a portion of proceeds from the beer’s sales to United Way’s Community Impact Fund. This specific fund supports more than 230,000 residents of Tucson and southern Arizona for life, which is either through partnerships, education, financial wellness, and more.
Brewing lifelong friendships
The inaugural batch of UNITED Summer Ale was created on Friday, April 14 with United Way staff, volunteers, and community supporters on hand to observe the preliminary mashing.
“We’re honored that our friends at Ten55 Brewing Company have chosen to commemorate our 100th anniversary in this creative way, and I’m inspired that our United Way is a connection to the company’s culture of giving back,” said Tony Penn, president and CEO of United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona.
“It’s been fun to watch this process unfold and we’re looking forward to toasting this celebration of a century of service, all summer long,” said Penn.
All of those that were in attendance during the ceremonious process got a behind-the-scenes tour of the beer’s ingredients, including the rare Grains of Paradise, which is a peppercorn indigenous to western Africa with notes of ginger, cardamom, citrus, and juniper.
The beer lands at an approachable 5.8 percent on the ABV scale — something Chris Squires, managing partner of Ten55 Brewing Company, is proud to deliver it the local beer community.
“When we first discussed the potential of this project late last year, my answer was ‘yes’ before any detail had been worked out,” said Squires. “I’ve long been a proponent of United Way and the critical catalyst role it plays, I’ve volunteered at their events, and I’ve seen the impact of their work in our community, and it’s a privilege for my team to publicly stand with them on this milestone moment in their service to Southern Arizona.”
So, don’t allow the release date to slip your mind. The beer will be available on tap at the brewery and multiple other locations around town beginning on Thursday, May 19.
Ten55 Brewing Company is located at 110 E. Congress St. For more information, visit 1055brewing.com. If you’d like to learn more about the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona, visit unitedwaytucson.org.
