Hundreds and thousands of tributes, dedications and homages for frontline health care workers have popped up across the globe throughout the global coronavirus pandemic (and very much deservedly so), including many here at home in the Queen City. Our nurses, doctors, and EMTs have become the literal definition of the word hero as they stare down a faceless enemy in COVID-19, working tirelessly to battle a disease that has no known cure with no real end in sight. They work long hours, and we all know the best thing to do after putting in a long and unforgiving day of work is to grab a fresh pint.
That’s where you come in.
Minuteman Press has launched a new initiative, Give a Pint to the Front Line, where you can buy a round for essential health care workers. With your donation, Minuteman Press will purchase gift cards from participating breweries and deliver them to local hospitals to distribute to front line workers. The gift cards can be used on to-go orders or in taprooms. Donations are made in increments of $6 and you can donate a pint ($6), 6-pack ($36), 12-pack ($72), or a case ($144). Make a donation and buy a pint here.
Minuteman Press President Wes Froebel launched Give a Pint to the Front Line as a way to give back to the essential health care workers in our area while helping our struggling breweries whose taprooms are closed due to the shutdown. He also says, what’s better than a beer at the end of a long day?
“We saw the community stepping up in various ways to support each other, and especially support the front line health care workers who are putting their health at risk for others,” he says. “We wanted to help, and we figured who doesn’t want a beer after a long day at work? We thought health care workers probably get home after a long day and want a pint to relax and unwind from a stressful day. We also thought this was a good opportunity to help support our local breweries who are struggling due to the all of the bars and restaurants being closed for dining in and having a pint.”
Froebel says that the response has been that of sheer positivity and support, saying they received a donation of a 6-pack within minutes of launching the program. He adds that this is a way to say thanks to those risking their lives day in and day out so that we may stay healthy and continue living our lives. He calls it a ‘virtual hug.’
“To say thanks to those in our community who are risking their health; to take care of those of us who are sick. This is a virtual cheers and buying a stranger a beer to say thanks. In addition, this will help our community’s economy bounce back when these front line workers use the gift cards to buy their pints, either as to-go orders at the breweries for on-site dining and drinking.”
Participating breweries include Big Ditch, 12 Gates, Resurgence, New York Beer Project, 42 North, Hamburg, Community Beer Works, Belt Line and Five and 20 with more being added.
“We want to be inclusive, so any local brewery who wants to participate can do so, we only ask that they send us their logo to put on the web site and that they promote this initiative through their social media,” he says.
If your front line healthcare operation would like to be on the distribution list for gift cards, please contact Minuteman at 716-855-3867. If you are a local brewery and would like to be included in the purchase of gift cards, contact Minuteman to be added to the list.
“Thank you for everything you are doing to help our community and to save lives,” Froebel says to all of the frontline health care workers. “I look forward to the day we can enjoy a beer in person at one of our amazing local breweries. Cheers!”
For more information on Give a Pint to the Front Line, click here.
Brian Campbell is co-founder and Brand Manager of the Buffalo Beer League, and writes the weekly Buffalo Beer Buzz column. If you have beer news that should be included in the Beer Buzz, Brian can be reached at buffalobeerleague@aol.com, on Twitter (@buffbeerleague), Instagram (@buffalobeerleague), and Facebook (@thebuffalobeerleague).
