Patrons at Leland’s first brewery can now partake with purpose. Plans are underway at Brunswick Beer and Cider for the business to partner with area nonprofits throughout the year, with proceeds from the sale of select brews being donated to local organizations.
 
The brewery is currently seeking applications from nonprofits interested in partnering with the business. From January through November, the brewery will spotlight one nonprofit per month, and in addition to promoting their mission on social media, 11% of proceeds from the sale of a designated beer or cider on tap will be donated to the organization.
 
“The idea is that folks can come and support their favorite nonprofits – to drink a beer in their name, if you will,” said owner Jud Watkins. The program is modeled after a similar one at Wrightsville Beach Brewery, which he also owns.  
 
Brunswick Beer and Cider has set some parameters for the types of nonprofits they hope to partner with. Watkins aims to select organizations that are “as local as possible,” but the opportunity is not exclusive to Brunswick County-based operations. The work of organizations will also be considered, with missions related to children and environmental issues being top picks for Watkins and his wife, who both have backgrounds in social work.  
 
“We try to advocate for nonprofits that have a mission for someone or something that can’t advocate for themselves,” he said.
 
For the last month of 2023, Brunswick Beer and Cider will feature all 11 of the year’s nonprofit partners again, giving them one final publicity push and another donation from sales of a designated tap.
 
“In the spirit of giving in December, we do them all again,” Watkins said. “So it’s 11 beers in the month of December.”
 
Since it opened in October, the business has incrementally unveiled brews developed by brewers Neil Blake and Dustin Wilson in its lineup of 32 taps. So far, beer styles have included Leland Lager, a Bavarian-style lager; Western Cypress, a West Coast-style India pale ale; B.S.L, a British golden ale; Town Creek, a British brown ale; and Everlasting Darkness, a dirty blonde ale. The brewery’s first cider, I’m Currantly Blue, crafted with black currant and blueberry, was followed by a pink guava cider last month.
 
Nonprofits interested in partnering with Brunswick Beer and Cider can apply in person at 1313 S. Dickinson Drive in Leland or email [email protected]
 
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