The New York Farm Bureau (NYFB) announced the debut of its first-ever branded beer, AGRO-NYS Cream Ale. This special brew, crafted with locally grown and donated ingredients, was brewed on Thursday, March 27 at Lunkenheimer Craft Brewing in Weedsport, NY.
AGRO-NYS Cream Ale is not just a testament to the quality of New York’s agricultural products but also a beacon of community support. Proceeds from the sale of this limited-edition beer will benefit Foodlink, a food bank based in Rochester, and Food Bank of Central New York in Syracuse. These organizations play a crucial role in addressing food insecurity in their respective regions.
The creation of AGRO-NYS Cream Ale is a collaborative effort involving numerous local donors. Cobblestone Hops & Brewing Company provided the hops, Murmuration Malts contributed malt and corn, and Waterloo Container supplied the cans and labels. Mobile Craft Canning handled the canning process, while Glenn Clark from Crafting A Brand designed the label artwork. Lunkenheimer Craft Brewing Company will oversee the initial brews, with future brewings supported by Big aLICe Brewing, Brewery Ardennes, Crafty Ales & Lagers, Fall Street Brewing, Relative Risk Brewing Company, Runaway Blue Brewing Company, Watershed Brewing Company, and WeBe Brewing.
Mark James, manager of County Farm Bureau relations and development, expressed his pride in the project: “The Finger Lakes is an area rich in natural resources, and our breweries are known for their high-quality craft beers. We’re proud to produce this outstanding cream ale, and even more proud to be able to support two major food banks with this project. Food security is something Farm Bureau cares deeply about, so we welcome this partnership with our brewers and other generous donors.”
Beth Hershel, vice president of development and community engagement at Foodlink, highlighted the importance of the collaboration: “We are grateful to be part of this collaboration that celebrates our New York farms and brewers while also raising funds to address food insecurity. Foodlink serves as the hub of the emergency food system across 10 counties in our region and will use this funding to continue our work building healthier communities.”
Lynn Hy, chief development officer at Food Bank of Central New York, echoed these sentiments: “New York Farm Bureau is a long-time partner to Food Bank of Central New York. We are excited for the launch of AGRO-NYS, as the funds raised from sales will help with our mission to provide access to healthy, nutritious food for neighbors facing food insecurity within our 11-county service area. We are thankful for all of the partners collaborating to brew this project.”
Kristen Lunkenheimer-Slocum, co-founder of Lunkenheimer Craft Brewing Company, shared her enthusiasm: “AGRO-NYS will spread cheer and advocacy within our local communities. LCBC is beyond delighted at the opportunity to brew and contribute to the project that has involved and will continue to involve great collaborative efforts. This brew represents our celebration and support of the Farm Bureau’s mission and commitment to our sustainability. No farms, no beer.”
AGRO-NYS Cream Ale will be available for sale at participating breweries in the Finger Lakes region. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy a delicious beer while supporting a great cause!
