Save the Hooch Campaign

Click here to see our Save the Hooch Video!

The Save the Hooch Campaign is a fun way to help protect the Chattahoochee River! Atlanta's SweetWater Brewery began the Save the Hooch Campaign to protect the most important ingredient in the beer they brew: water from the Chattahoochee River. This campaign runs each year from Memorial Day through the Fourth of July and engages beer drinkers, bar patrons, and restaurants throughout metro Atlanta in efforts to raise awareness and funds to support CRK’s river patrol and water quality monitoring programs.

During the 2011 campaign, SweetWater helped raise $93,000, a substantial increase over last year's total of $62,000 -- thanks in part to increased participation from United Distributors and Taco Mac. Also, participating businesses went a step further by hosting special events such as beer dinners, outdoor festivals and other parties. SweetWater also upped the ante with the premiere of its Waterkeeper Ale, a hefeweizen brew that drew raves from the critics (and customers) and was available at participating Taco Mac locations.

New last year was a Waterkeeper Hefeweizen Ale. Now part of their seasonal Catch and Release line-up, the Hefeweizen brew will return to draft taps on limited release this May to help ramp up awareness and donations.

With a beautiful dark golden color, a gorgeous tall head when poured into the glass and distinctive flavors of banana and clove from the Bavarian Hefeweizen yeast with a hint of lemon. The Waterkeeper Ale had a 5.7% ABV and is in a ceramic bottle with a hand drawn image of the river. The bottle also features the story of how SweetWater got involved with Waterkeeper Alliances and information on how patrons can help save their rivers and waterways in their hometown.

Since this campaign began in 2006, it has raised more than $350,000 to support CRK's river patrol and water quality monitoring programs. The success of this campaign has inspired SweetWater to partner with other riverkeepers as well, and now they are using their creative marketing tactics to support the work of the Black Warrior, Savannah, Neuse, and French Broad Riverkeepers!

Visit www.savethehooch.com.