Santa Cruz County breweries create beer to benefit wildfire victims

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, Calif. (KION) Twelve breweries have worked together to create a new beer to help victims of the CZU Lightning Complex Fires in Santa Cruz County.

The beer is called "Santa Cruz County Strong," and it is described as a hoppy blonde ale with floral notes and a "light and biscuity malt character."

According to the breweries, 100% of the proceeds from the beer will be donated to the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County Fire Relief Fund.

"The redwoods, with their interlaced roots and their green shoots reaching skyward, teach us to hold on to each other and to trust that after the fire we will see new growth," the beer's description says.

To help with costs, Admiral Maltings donated grain, Custom Label donated labels, Berlin Packaging donated cans and Zephyr Pfotenhauer donated the label design.

The beer was released Wednesday, and participating breweries include Discretion, East Cliff Brewing, Fruition, Humble Sea, Nubo, SCMB, Sante Adarius, Shanty Shack, Steel Bonnet, Slough Brewing Collective, Uncommon and Woodhouse.