New Belgium Brewing’s Tour de Fat traveling show raised more than $500,000 for local nonprofits this year, and Stone Brewing announced it has contributed more than $400,000 to charities.
Now in its 13th season, Tour de Fat broke the $2 million mark in total funds raised since its inception. The money from each stop goes to nonprofit organizations, generally in the world of bike advocacy, with money spent in a wide variety of ways, including trail maintenance, safety education, lobbying for better bicycle communities and a wide variety of other impactful initiatives.
Each stop includes a costumed bike parade and bike-themed activities, complemented by live entertainment, New Belgium beer, local food, art bikes and more. Tour de Fat traveled to 15 cities between June and October, attracting a total of 74,400 festival attendees and 47,150 parade cyclists (up 4,850 attendees and 6,000 riders from 2011). In addition, the festival had an impressive 86% diversion of waste from landfills.
Stone Brewing, based in Southern California, held multiple events and contributed to multiple charities. Notably, Stone donated $86,373.61 to ReBuild Waterbury and $30,000 to Waterbury Good Neighbor Fund for efforts to restore Waterbury, Vermont, a community that was damaged by Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. The proceeds are from the sale of the collaboration beer, The Alchemist/Ninkasi/Stone More Brown Than Black IPA, brewed in December 2011 with Ninkasi Brewing Company in Oregon and The Alchemist Pub and Brewery of Waterbury. The Alchemist Pub and Brewery was one of the unfortunate casualties of Tropical Storm Irene.
“Every year we strive to donate to charities that enhance the communities they serve,” said Stone CEO Greg Koch. “2012 was no different and we are proud to have contributed more money to deserving charities than we did in 2011. But the real praise goes to the people working for these charities that continue to improve our communities and provide services to individuals and families. Cheers to them!”