Beer all in this together

Breweries from all over the Central Oregon Coast are collaborating to produce a special beer to support relief efforts for those affected by the Echo Mountain Fire. “Otis Strong” will be an IPA that each participating brewery will create using the same recipe, but with their own unique twist.

The effort is modeled on a 2018 project by Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, which collaborated with nearby breweries to create the “Resilience” beer recipe, benefiting victims of the devastating California Camp fire.

“It’s sort of like a more local version of that,” said Matt White of Beachcrest Brewing Company in Gleneden Beach. “We are all in!”

“Before I started brewing, I was a wildland firefighter for many years,” said Wolf Tree Brewery owner and head brewer Joe Hitselberger. “I’ve never seen destruction like this before and just want the craft beer community to do what we can to help.”

In addition to Beachcrest and Wolf Tree, participating breweries include Bandon Brewing Company, Bier One Brewing, Newport Brewing Company, Pelican Brewing Company, Rogue Ales and Spirits, Rusty Truck Brewing Company and Yachats Brewing + Farmstore.

Rogue Ales and Spirits has donated hops from their farm in Independence.

“We just want to do whatever we can,” said Rogue president Dharma Tamm.

Each brewery plans to release their version of ‘Otis Strong’ simultaneously on October 30.

For more information on this collaboration, email Ryan Perry at ryan@wolftreebrewery.com.