Ryeparian Ale
June 2015
Ryeparian Ale
Western Pennsylvania’s waterways are among the defining natural features that make our region special. Carving out a breathtaking landscape like no other, the region’s mighty rivers and streams are important economic and recreational assets, and have been for centuries. Restoring and protecting these waterways – making them cleaner, healthier and safer – is part of the vital and ongoing work of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.
Since 2001, the Conservancy’s watershed conservation staff and volunteers have worked in hundreds of tributaries, streams, and rivers in our region’s cities and towns to plant trees and native vegetation, remove barriers and debris, help reestablish wildlife habitat and rebuild stream banks. Their efforts have meant cleaner water for us all, healthier habitats for wildlife and better recreational opportunities for fishing, kayaking and boating.
And this year, the Conservancy’s clean water efforts received a cool, refreshing and popular ally: craft beer.
Aficionados can now help to clean water by drinking beer, thanks to North Country Brewing Company, which recently released a new craft beer created especially to support the Conservancy’s efforts. Portions of the sales of Ryeparian Rye Pale Ale will support WPC’s stream bank tree plantings in natural areas throughout Western Pennsylvania.
Trees and shrubs, planted along the banks of waterways are essential to enhancing and protecting water quality. This native vegetation reduces runoff and flooding, stabilizes stream banks, filters sediments and cools water temperatures, all of which improves water quality for drinking and the many different aquatic species that call local waterways home. And the beer’s “punny” name comes from the term for these important areas: riparian buffers or zones.
The idea for a craft beer to support clean water came in 2014 from two of the Conservancy’s watershed staff: Eli Long and Danielle Rihel. Long and Rihel pitched the idea to Bob McCafferty, co-owner of North Country Brewing Company in Slippery Rock, Pa. McCafferty, who is a longtime supporter of the Conservancy by sponsoring the community garden in Slippery Rock as well as being a committed conservationist, thought the concept was ideal for him and his business.
“I’m a supporter of all who wish to coexist in a clean environment together, and a bigger fan of the Conservancy’s efforts to achieve that,” said Bob McCafferty.
It didn’t take McCafferty and his brewmasters long to perfect and can the specialty ale. Within one year of Long and Rihel’s initial idea, WPC staff, members, volunteers and the Slippery Rock community celebrated the launch of the Ryeparian Rye PA on Earth Day.
“Bob seemed to be as passionate as we were about the idea,” explained Rihel. “It happened so fast. It is exactly what Eli and I had imagined - we’re so excited…and it tastes amazing!”
For craft beer fans, this unique ale does not disappoint. Combining two distinct styles of beer, rye ale and pale ale, gives this beer a unique flavor of spice and hops.
“We wanted to create a distinctive beer for the unique work of the Conservancy,” explains McCafferty. “That’s why we chose rye ale, which is more rare and challenging to create.”
WPC has planted more than 28,000 trees along these important riparian zones since 2013, and plans to plant more if funding is established – so drink up!
Where To Find Ryeparian Rye PA on Draft:
• Park Bruges – Highland Park
• Sharp Edge Bistro – Downtown
• Dukes Upper Deck Cafe – Homestead
• Poor Richards Ale House and Grill– Wexford
• Burgatory – Robinson
• Bocktown Beer and Grill – Robinson
• North Country Brewing Company – Slippery Rock, Pa.
• Harmony Inn – Harmony, Pa.
*Ryeparian Rye Pale Ale is also available in cans in most Giant Eagle stores.