Pittsburgh, Pa. – May 13 – Sales of a new locally-produced beer will support the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy’s stream bank tree planting initiative.
The new beer, called Ryeparian Rye Pale Ale, is now available from distributors across Pennsylvania and in 12 counties in northeast Ohio. Five percent of all Ryeparian Rye Pale Ale sales will support the Conservancy’s stream bank tree plantings in key natural areas in Western Pennsylvania.
The ale was crafted by Bob and Jodi McCafferty, owners of North Country Brewing Company in Slippery Rock, Pa. and the Harmony Inn in Harmony, Pa. The beer is also available at both restaurants on tap.
The rye in the beer offers a unique flavor, which lends a black peppery taste, explained Bob McCafferty. “We wanted to create a distinctive beer for the unique work of the Conservancy,” said Bob McCafferty. “That’s why we chose rye ale, which is more rare and challenging to create.”
The McCaffertys are longtime supporters of the Conservancy, sponsoring WPC’s community garden in Slippery Rock as well as being committed conservationists. “I’m a supporter of all who wish to coexist in a clean environment together, and a bigger fan of the Conservancy’s efforts to achieve that,” said Bob McCafferty.
To celebrate the launch of this new beer, North Country Brewing Company hosted a happy hour in Slippery Rock, Pa. on April 22, Earth Day. The happy hour generated $1,380 in funds to benefit the Conservancy’s watershed conservation work.
The beer’s name comes from the term “riparian zones,” which are the important lands adjacent to a stream or river.
“Riparian buffers are essential because they provide food and shelter for a variety of wildlife, reduce runoff and flooding, stabilize stream banks and cool water temperatures, all of which enhance water quality for many different aquatic species,” explained Danielle Rihel, WPC watershed technician in the Conservancy’s Indiana, Pa. office.
WPC planted more than 23,000 trees along riparian zones in 2013 and 2014 to improve water quality in the region, and plans to plant 5,580 trees and shrubs over 28.9 acres during the spring of 2015.
The Ryeparian Ale logo features a rendering of an Eastern hellbender salamander, which only thrives in streams with high water quality, helping conservationists to determine the health of a stream. The Conservancy’s watershed conservation program has been monitoring hellbender populations since 2007.
WPC’s watershed conservation program offers a full range of services to the community including watershed assessments, watershed conservation plans, stream bank restoration projects, aquatic species surveys and technical assistance for landowners and local watershed organizations.
Want to try the new ale? Here’s where you can find Ryeparian Rye Pale Ale on draft in the Pittsburgh area:
- Park Bruges – Highland Park
- Sharp Edge Bistro – Downtown
- Dukes Upper Deck Cafe – Homestead
- Poor Richards Ale House and Grill – Wexford
- Burgatory – Robinson
- Bocktown Beer and Grill – Robinson
- North Country Brewing Company – Slippery Rock, Pa.
- Harmony Inn – Harmony, Pa.
- The beer is also available in cans in most Giant Eagle stores.
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About the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy:
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC) enhances the region’s quality of life by protecting and restoring exceptional places. A private nonprofit conservation organization founded in 1932, WPC has helped to establish ten state parks, conserved more than 252,000 acres of natural lands and protected or restored more than 3,000 miles of rivers and streams. The Conservancy owns and operates Fallingwater, which symbolizes people living in harmony with nature. In addition, WPC enriches our region’s cities and towns through 130 community gardens and other green spaces that are planted with the help of about 12,000 volunteers. The work of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is accomplished through the support of nearly 10,000 members. For more information, visit WaterLandLife.org.
Media contact:
Kristen Blevins
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
412-586-2328 (office)
kblevins@paconserve.org