Beer that gives back

For the past two decades, Wild Rose Taproom has run its Patron’s Pint charitable program, donating $0.25 to a local organization for each pint sold of a featured beer. Both the beer and the supported charity change monthly. In May, the Patron’s Pint feature beer is High Harvest and donations go to Closer to Home Community Services.

“We do the little things we can to make Calgary a better place,” says Adam Ward, the Taproom’s general manager.

Over the course of a year, the Taproom donates between $3,600 and $4,800 to local charities through Patron’s Pint.

Charities supported by the program are often championed by servers in the Taproom who have a connection to the supported organization or who have heard about the charity from a Taproom guest.

The Patron’s Pint program is so popular with local organizations that Adam says recipients for the next 18 months are already selected.

“The amount of Taproom regulars who deeply care about Wild Rose is amazing,” says Adam. “If a cause matters to them, then it matters to us.”

In addition to Patron’s Pint, Wild Rose also supports local organizations with sales of its annual springtime Sunday Fuzz brew. For each four-pack of the seasonal beer sold, the brewery donates $0.25 to a partner charity. This year, Sunday Fuzz benefits Chimo Animal Assisted Wellness and Learning Society.

As a fixture in Calgary’s Currie neighbourhood, Wild Rose values giving back to its community. Adam sums it up simply, “we’re nothing without the people who come here all the time.”