MANSFIELD — The Phoenix Brewing Company has created a purple beer with a special purpose: to raise awareness for domestic violence.
The beer, “Stand Tall,” will make its debut Saturday, April 13 at “A Nite at the Races,” a fundraiser for The Domestic Violence Shelter in the Richland County Fairground’s Fairhaven Hall.
“It’s a going to be a fun beer that’s going to draw attend to a very worthy and needed cause,” said Carmone MacFarlone, director of social engagement for The Phoenix Brewing Company.
She described the beer as an “ambrosia blonde ale” with notes of toasted coconut, marshmallow and pineapple flavors.
It was brewed earlier this month with the help of The Domestic Violence Shelter in honor of Women’s Brew Day. It will be ready just in time for the fundraiser.
“We were able to decide the colors and flavors we wanted, and most of us had never seen this done up close before,” said Kathy Ezawa, executive director of the Domestic Violence Shelter. “It was interesting — just the science behind it.”
She and other representatives from the shelter chose the name “Stand Tall” as a “strong symbol for empowerment of domestic violence and sexual assault survivors.” Plus, it relates to the shelter’s logo, which includes a lighthouse.
“A Nite at the Races” will kick off at 6 p.m. April 13 with the new beer, dinner and horse races.
Tickets for the event cost $30 per person and can be purchased by calling 419-774-5843. All proceeds benefit The Domestic Violence Shelter’s programs.
The Phoenix Brewing Company will begin serving “Stand Tall” at its 131 N. Diamond St. location Sunday, April 14. A portion from every pint sold that day will be donated to the Domestic Violence Shelter, and the bar will collect items that the shelter needs.
The beer will remain on tap until it’s finished.
Ezawa noted that The Phoenix Brewing Company has supported the Domestic Violence Shelter’s “A Nite at the Races” for the past several years, and thanked its owners for their continued support, especially their idea to create a specialty beer.
“The more we talk about this terrible thing, the more we can raise more awareness,” Ezawa said. “This is one of those things a lot of people keep hidden. So, I want to talk about it more, I don’t want to normalize it, but I want people to know there is help.”
Anyone can reach The Domestic Violence Shelter 24/7 by calling 800-931-7233.
