Backcountry Brewing’s “Suck It Cancer” Fundraiser 2020
For Immediate Release
Squamish, BC. Building off the success of last year’s “Suck It Cancer” fundraising campaign, Backcountry Brewing is proud to release the 2020 “Suck It Cancer” Pale Ale on November 10, 2020. Collaborating once again on the can design with the estate of Chili Thom, a local artist who succumbed to cancer in 2016, Backcountry hopes to raise $15,000 this year to donate to the BC Cancer Foundation.
“The support from BC beer drinkers was so overwhelming last year, we knew we had to do it again,” says Ben Reeder, Marketing Director at Backcountry Brewing. “Almost everyone has been affected by or witnessed the tragic effects of cancer, and Chili was a local hero in the Sea to Sky so it’s an honour to have a new piece of his artwork for the label, and to be able to raise money in his name to help find a cure for this terrible disease.”
Reeder adds that Backcountry is brewing 15,000 litres of the new Suck It Cancer Pale Ale, and will donate $50 per keg ordered, $1 per 4-pack, and $0.50 for each sleeve sold in the tasting room. Along with sales of can label stickers and limited-edition Chili Thom art prints, he thinks this year will well surpass 2019’s fundraising total of $11,033.
The effort would not be possible without the support of generous sponsors and partners within BC’s craft brewing industry– Summit Labels, Hops Connect, Vessel Packaging Co, Rahr Malting, and BSG Canada. And of course, without the support of the beer drinkers themselves.
The 2020 Suck It Cancer DDH Pale Ale comes in at 5.5% ABV and 30 IBU,” says Backcountry master brewer John Folinsbee. “It’s been hopped with Mosaic, Citra and one of our favorite new hops Strata, so expect big dank and tropical fruit notes with this double dry hopped pale ale.”
Cans and kegs of the 2020 Suck It Cancer beer will be available at finer stores and establishments throughout the Sea to Sky Corridor, the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley as well as select spots in the Okanagan, Vancouver Island and the BC Interior.
“We are so grateful to once again partner with Backcountry Brewing to break down cancer across B.C.,” says Sarah Roth, President & CEO, BC Cancer Foundation. “This year, more than ever, British Columbians facing cancer need hope, and the brilliant teams at BC Cancer are determined to carry on with breakthrough research with the support of this campaign and our generous community.”
The Suck It Cancer Pale Ale goes on sale November 10, 2020.
About Chili Thom
Born and raised adventuring in the British Columbia backcountry, Chili Thom was one of Canada’s premier landscape painters and completed over 400 works before being taken by cancer in 2016. His paintings are known for capturing the essence of time spent in the wilderness. “I don’t want to paint a single moment,” Chili said, “I want to capture the experience, the passage of time of watching the sun sink behind a ridge or a wave crashing onto the shore.” Chili’s estate continues to sell artwork for his young daughter. Chilithom.com
About Backcountry Brewing
Backcountry brewing opened its doors in the mountain town of Squamish BC on April 1st, 2017 with a team of 5 owners, each bringing a specific skill set that was integral to the brewery’s success. Shortly after opening, Backcountry was recognized by the BC Beer Awards as the “Best Rookie Brewery” and has since expanded production to fill the demand for its beer across the province.
While maintaining a constantly rotating variety of beer styles in the 50-seat tap room, head brewer John Folinsbee’s mainstays are hop-forward beers, including New England IPA’s, Pale Ales as well as fruited sours, stouts and lagers. Backcountry packages 4-5 seasonal offerings per month… “These one-off beers are great for experimenting with, using different ingredients. We try to push the boundaries of flavour within each style category” Folinsbee says.
The Backcountry kitchen features the work of head chef Artie McGee. The evolving menu of bold pizzas, fresh salads, and snacks was developed to compliment John’s brews, often using the beer in the recipes. Backcountry also makes their own beer infused hot sauce that can be found in the retail and online store. https://www.backcountrybrewing.com/