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This New BHAM Brewery Preserves Alabama's Waterways

Alabama Beer Company may have just hit the local brewery scene late last year, but its Alabama Light Lager is already on shelves and in restaurants in every corner of the state — and doing some good with every can. Through the company's water conservation initiative, DRIFT, a portion of its profits helps preserve Alabama waterways for future generations. Meet this mission-fueled, Alabama-focused beer company and see where you can try the deliciously crisp light lager! Pin Alabama Beer Company: Beer with a Purpose When asked what came first – the beer or the water – Founder and CEO Stephen Gann says it was technically the beer, but the mission to connect their beverage to preserving Alabama waterways quickly helped the brand take shape. 'We had the idea to launch an easy-drinking light beer, but we were missing our purpose,' Stephen tells us. 'We started talking with Cindy Lowry at Alabama Rivers Alliance, and the whole vision evolved.' 'It has been a very long dream come true to work with a community-driven company like Alabama Beer Co. and partners all over the state to create the DRIFT fund to support this mission,' Cindy Lowry says. As executive director of the Alabama Rivers Alliance, Cindy spearheads the organization's support of community-based organizations working to protect their backyard rivers and streams — often running on passion, volunteers, and little funding. Once Alabama Beer Co. and Alabama Rivers Alliance joined forces, everything clicked into place. 'It wasn't just about making good beer anymore,' Stephen says, 'It became about using that beer to shine a light on something bigger: Alabama's waters. The brand, the name, and the messaging all came together after that.' Pin Why beer and water, you ask? As Stephen says, 'If your water's bad, your beer's bad — simple as that.' The Alabama Beer Co. team figured if they were going to build a brand rooted in Alabama, it needed to stand for something that mattered locally. 'It just made sense to protect the one ingredient we can't do without, while also giving back,' Stephen says. Meet The Beer: Alabama Light Lager The Birmingham-based brewery brews only one beer: Alabama Light Lager. The recipe is simple — malted barley, hops, yeast, and water. Stephen explains their recipe is a commitment to product integrity, saying, 'Big domestic brands often use extracts and syrups to boost efficiency and profits, but … is it even still beer?' As far as flavor goes, Alabama Light Lager is clean, crisp, and balanced. 'It's not meant to steal the spotlight, just play a solid supporting role in whatever you're doing,' Stephen says. 'That's why the pairings are endless. It cleans your palate without leaving a trace, so every bite tastes like the first.' Pin Alabama Light Lager is 4.2% ABV (alcohol by volume), and the 12-ounce can has just 99 calories. It is available in two can sizes: 12-ounce and 16-ounce. Each size has a branded mascot (designed by one of the company's founding partners and award-winning digital artist, Shannon Clarke) which are quickly becoming recognizable, too. The 12-ounce 'Moon Maiden' depicts a sea guardian voyaging along the water on a giant catfish, while the 16-ounce 'Tallboy' features the fabled Alabama sasquatch by the same name. The pair symbolizes protection and conservation of both land and water for the brand. Pin Pin Meet The DRIFT Initiative: Protecting Alabama Waters The goal of Alabama Beer Company's DRIFT initiative is right there in the name: Defending River Integrity for Tomorrow. A portion of every can sold is donated to water conservation efforts throughout the state. 'It's our way of making sure every Alabama Light beer does a little good,' Stephen says. DRIFT's goal is to cut through the red tape and get local organizations the money they need, when they need it. 'It's designed to be fast, flexible support for smaller conservation groups across Alabama,' Stephen explains, 'We're talking about those unexpected needs that pop up — the stuff you didn't plan for in your annual budget. Instead of these organizations hitting pause to fundraise, they can apply for a quick grant through DRIFT.' Pin Applying for a DRIFT grant is super simple. Any conservation nonprofit can fill out a quick application form on the beer company's website here. Applications are then swiftly reviewed by a joint committee of conservation groups that work throughout the state: Alabama Rivers Alliance, Waterkeepers of Alabama, Alabama Scenic River Trail, and Alabama Cup Races. 'If it fits the mission, we get the funds out fast so the work doesn't have to stop,' Stephen explains. So far, DRIFT has raised over $11,000. 'Since the new Alabama Light Beer hit the shelves and taps, the fund has supported partners from the Tennessee and Coosa watersheds, with exciting work to create sustainability programs in the Huntsville area, and with projects like the Rocky Shoals Spider Lily restorations and water quality testing equipment in the Coosa watershed,' Cindy says, 'Other applications are under review for assisting with internship opportunities in the urban Village Creek watershed in Birmingham.' Alabama Beer Co.: A Beer for Alabama Stephen intends to keep Alabama Light exclusively in-state. 'This beer is for Alabama, plain and simple,' he says. In giving Alabamians a beverage they can take ownership of, he hopes they'll feel good about buying and supporting the brand. 'The moment we start selling across state lines, we lose that connection, and honestly, the right to even have 'Alabama' in the name,' Stephen says, 'We're not trying to go big and lose who we are. We'd rather stay local, focused, and relatable to folks here at home.' If you know an organization doing great work for Alabama's waterways that needs quick support, Stephen encourages you to send them his way. 'We're all about helping people keep moving forward,' he says. Cindy agrees, adding, 'We can't wait to see what's next for this partnership, and we truly hope more organizations and groups working to #DefendRivers and protect their communities will apply for funding!' Instagram to stay up on the latest from this exclusively Alabama brand!