Emily Thomas is one state parks fan who is not messing around. Starting at noon on Thursday, Aug. 15 and continuing until 10pm, $1 from every pint sold at her Westside organic brewery, Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing, will go to support Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks. As if we needed another excuse to belly up at the funky-chic Ingalls Street taproom and down another fresh ‘n’ foamy Devout Stout.
And who are the Friends, you may ask? You know—the folks who, through a unique longstanding agreement with the state, handle staffing at all but two of the state parks entrance kiosks in the county, run the docent programs that have introduced thousands of schoolchildren to the concept of conservation and throw parties like the Wilder Ranch Independence Day celebration, the Welcome Back Monarchs Festival and the Mission Summer Series. The nonprofit group that saved the lifeguard program at state beaches back in 2009, kept the Mission open in 2012 and stepped up to make sure our parks kept running smoothly when all hell was breaking loose in the capitol. Yeah, them.
We figured Thomas for an open space devotee—SCMB’s hefeweizen is dubbed Wilder Wheat, after Wilder Ranch State Park—but really, we had no idea. Then we sent her our little five-item questionnaire and got this back:
1. What's your favorite local state park or beach, and what's one thing you love about it?
Really hard to say… probably Fall Creek. Best place to run—soft rolling trails in the redwoods along a spectacular creek. Always my inspiration point for new beers, new business ventures, and new recipes.
2. Check all that apply. If there were no state parks, you would be:
__ sad
__ bored
__ lost
__ possibly in jail for trespassing
X other (please explain) All of the above and perpetually drunk.
3. Complete the sentence. "In a perfect world, all state parks... allow dogs, have open bathrooms, and plenty of funding."
4. Daydream with me here. If you were to name a beer after Big Basin, our first state park, what would you want it to taste like?
Dark malty body with citrusy hop aromas and redwood tips
5. Anything else you want to add about why you're partnering with Friends on the 15th?
As Rachel Carson wrote, “Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature—the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.” We, at SCMB, find those reserves of strength and healing in the beauty and power of our local state parks.
So there you have it. Lady beer boss love Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and you should, too. Come on out, hoist a pint and show your support for the state parks. We’ll see you there.
Thank You Thursday benefit for the Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks happens at Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing, 402 Ingalls St., Santa Cruz on Thursday, Aug. 15, noon-10pm.
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