SweetWater’s Save the Hooch Campaign Raises over $55,000 to Protect the Chattahoochee River

Funds to support UCR’s river patrol and water quality monitoring programs

Atlanta, GA – SweetWater Brewery will present a check for $55,420–proceeds raised through its fourth annual Save the Hooch campaign–to Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper (UCR) during the Brewery’s tour and tasting on Friday, August 14, at 6:00 pm. The Save the Hooch campaign runs from Memorial Day through the middle of July each year and engages beer drinkers, bar patrons, and restaurants throughout metro Atlanta in efforts to raise awareness and funds to support UCR’s river patrol and water quality monitoring programs.

Participating local bars and taverns hold special promotions and sell paper fish and custom Save the Hooch t-shirts to their clientele. Despite the economic downturn, this year saw a rise in participation among local business, with over 100 participating accounts in metro Atlanta. The single largest fundraiser for the campaign was Taco Mac, whose stores brought in just over $28,000.

“This campaign demonstrates that local business and citizens can step up to protect the vital natural resources that we all depend on,” said Sally Bethea, Executive Director of UCR. “SweetWater’s efforts have not only provided crucial funding for our water monitoring programs – they have also involved more people than ever before in protecting their river.”

According to Steve Farace, Minister of Propaganda for SweetWater Brewery, “The passionate response from retailers such as Taco Mac, Marietta Pizza, Williamson Brothers BBQ, Wild Wing, our wholesaler United Distributors, and many others is a fantastic statement that folks understand that protecting our water supply is vital!”

A ceremonial check will be presented by Freddy Bensch, SweetWater’s Big Kahuna, and Steve Farace to Sally Bethea and UCR staff in the Brewery’s tasting room on 195 Ottley Drive, Atlanta, GA, at the Friday afternoon brewery tour and tasting. Tours are held each Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 5:30pm – 7:30pm and each Saturday from 2:30pm – 4:30pm.

About Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper

UCR is the only nonprofit whose sole purpose is to protect and preserve the Chattahoochee River, its lakes and tributaries, which 3.5 million Georgians depend on for drinking water, recreation and industry. The Chattahoochee is one of the most endangered rivers in the country. Since its inception in 1994, UCR has kept watch over our waters, stopping the flow of hundreds of millions of gallons of untreated sewage into the river and neighborhood streams, holding polluters accountable, and promoting water efficiency efforts.

About SweetWater Brewing Company

SweetWater Brewing Company, makers of 420 Extra Pale Ale and a host of tasty brews, began its dream of free beer ‘til their dying day in an office park on the west side of Atlanta in 1996. Today, five years into a shiny new brewery in midtown Atlanta as the second largest craft brewer in the Southeast, SweetWater produces four year-round beers; 420 Extra Pale Ale, Blue, IPA, and Georgia Brown, as well as a slew of Catch and Release seasonals, and the Dank Tank series of experimental beers. For more information or to tour the brewery, give them a call at 404-691-ALES or visit www.sweetwaterbrew.com.

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