As is often the case when tragedy strikes, humanity’s best traits emerge and the outpouring of empathy, love, and support from neighbors and strangers alike win the day against the feelings of helplessness and despair that threaten to overwhelm even the strongest among us.
We recently had an opportunity to take action against those feelings of helplessness as the nation was reeling from news that an attacker had taken the lives of 49 people and injured dozens others at Pulse nightclub in Orlando. Our Brewmaster Paul received a call from Austin Copeland at Hillcrest Brewing Company hoping to collaborate on a special beer release that could then be used to raise funds to donate to the relief efforts aiding the victims and families. The neighborhood of Hillcrest in San Diego is known as the hub of LGBT culture and home to many neighborhood organizations whose focus is on involvement in the LGBT community.As word spread through the beer world, there was a resounding desire to join in and ultimately sixteen other local breweries got on board and brewed their own variations under the moniker “All You Need Is Love”, to coincide with a release during San Diego’s annual Pride Weekend and parade in Hillcrest starting July 15th.
“As a local, born and raised in San Diego, Karl Strauss was one of my first forays into craft beer. Paul Segura has been an inspiration and source of knowledge since I started brewing, so it was only natural that the first call I made regarding the All You Need Is Love project was to Paul. I’m honored to brew with him on KARL’s original Columbia Street brew house, the place where I cut my craft beer teeth. I could not be happier with how this project came together. The San Diego brewing community makes the best beer in the world, and it’s also full of the best people too.” – Austin Copeland
For our “All You Need Is Love” collaboration brew, we worked with Hillcrest to craft a hoppy Session Red Ale showcasing flavors of pine, tropical fruit, and citrus that is finished by a crisp red-malt backbone. The beer was brewed in our satellite brewery in downtown San Diego and will be debuted at the official release party held at Hillcrest Brewing Company on Thursday, July 14th.
Starting on July 15th, Karl Strauss and Hillcrest Brewing Company’s version of the collaboration brew will be pouring at all Karl Strauss Brewpubs, Hillcrest Brewing’s tasting room and at craft beer establishments throughout San Diego. In efforts to raise additional funds and spread awareness, customized pint glasses with the All You Need Is Love brand logo will also be available for purchase at many of the participating breweries.
Take a look at the full list of participating breweries and their chosen beer styles below. Keep an eye out around town for these beers and enjoy them with the knowledge that, no matter how small the gesture, each and every one of us can contribute to making our world a place where peace, love, and freedom triumph over all else.
Participating Breweries
Hillcrest Brewing Company/Karl Strauss Brewing Company
Hoppy Session Red Ale
Chuck Alek Brewing/Hillcrest Brewing Company
Dry-hopped Altbier
Gordon Biersch Brewery/Hillcrest Brewing Company
Hoppy Session Red Ale
South Park Brewery/Hillcrest Brewing Company
IPA with Beets
Intergalactic Brewing Company/Hillcrest Brewing Company
Hoppy Session Red Ale
Second Chance Beer Co.
Scotch Ale
Belching Beaver Brewery
Passion Fruit Berliner Weiss
Wavelength Brewing
Hoppy Session Red Ale
Border X Brewing
Hoppy Red w/Hibiscus
Bagby Beer Company
Wheat XPA
Amplified Ale Works
Pulse Porter
Mission Brewery
San Diego-Style IPA
Duck Foot Brewing/Mother Earth Brewing
TBD
2Kids Brewing Company
Amarillo American Pale Ale
AleSmith Brewing Company
Blonde Ale with Chrysanthemums and Honeysuckle