Astoria breweries are helping to preserve Oregon farm and ranch lands for future generations.
Fort George Brewery and Buoy Beer Co. have released their frothy versions of Cheers to the Land, a benefit for the nonprofit Oregon Agricultural Trust (OAT).
Both local beers are made with ingredients grown in the region, underscoring the importance of those crops.
Fort George’s West Coast IPA was brewed with hops from Crosby Hop Farm in Woodburn and malt from Mainstem Malt of Walla Walla, Wash. The recipe also called for nasturtium flowers, supplied by 46 North Farm east of Astoria – owned and operated by OAT board member Teresa Retzlaff.
Buoy’s ale features malts from Baker City-based Gold Rush Malting, barley from Cornerstone Farms in Enterprise and hops from Goschie Farms in Silverton.
The benefit beers, available in 16-ounce cans and on draft, were celebrated Oct. 28 at simultaneous release parties in Astoria attended by OAT representatives.
The trust partners with farmers and ranchers to protect agricultural lands for the benefit of Oregon’s “economy, communities and landscapes.” The average age of Oregon farmers and ranchers is 60 and 81 percent don’t have succession plans, leaving the future of those lands in doubt, according to OAT.
Cheers to the Land is in its second year. This year’s campaign features 16 Oregon breweries and a cidery.
Brewers have a deep appreciation for the source of their raw ingredients, says OAT Executive Director Nellie McAdams.
McAdams, who attended the event at Fort George, warns that development is “slowly paving over” essential agricultural land in rural areas. The trust aims to help farmers and ranchers resist by buying their properties’ development rights and creating conservation easements.
“We give them an alternative,” she says.
Last year’s Cheers to the Land campaign raised $12,000. The goal for 2023 is to double that, which is likely given the fact that the number of participating breweries has also doubled.
The special beers are now available in grocery stores and bottle shops, or on tap. The trust is planning events across the state into November, including tap takeovers and pub crawls, aimed at raising public awareness.
The other breweries are: 10 Barrel Brewing; Alesong Brewing; Baerlic Brewing; Barley Brown’s Beer; Block 15 Brewing; Coldfire Brewing; Crux Fermentation Project; Falling Sky Brewing; Foreland Beer Co.; Freebridge Brewing; Gorges Beer Co.; Level Beer Co.; Thunder Island Brewing; and Wolves & People Farmhouse Brewery.
To learn more or make a donation, visit cheerstotheland.com.
