BIG LAKE, MN, OCT. 29, 2019– Lupulin Brewing Company, Mankato Brewery and the Jonathan Zierdt Cancer Fund (JZCF) announce this year’s activities to raise awareness and increase support of men’s cancers through craft beer.

Events kick-off on Friday, November 1 with the release of the HERO Hazy IPA at Lupulin Brewing Company in Big Lake. The release event will include food, music and a “Wall of Heroes” at the Taproom. Mankato Brewery will be hosting the growMANkato Community Shave Down, Beards and Beer event with $1.00 from each pint sold going to the JZCF.

HERO Hazy IPA is a collaboration beer created between Mankato Brewery and Lupulin Brewing Company, originally brewed in 2018 to bring attention to Men’s Health and Cancer Awareness during the month of November.
The inspiration behind this beer is Jonathan Zierdt, close friend to Mankato Brewery founder, Tim Tupy, and the brother to Lupulin Brewing co-founder, Jeff Zierdt. Jonathan Zierdt lost his battle with cancer after 5 years in March 2019, during this time he used his illness to bring awareness to men’s health issues and his foundation, the Jonathan Zierdt Cancer Fund.

Hero Hazy IPA is a Double IPA coming in at 8.18% ABV and 66 IBU, which is Jonathan’s date of birth (8/18/66). “HERO Hazy IPA is all about friendship, awareness and never surrendering to the fight against cancer. So, become aware, get tested, and live longer.” said Tim Tupy of Mankato Brewery.
Following the beer release, expect to see 4 pack – 16 oz cans throughout local, metro and regional liquor stores, as well as on draft in establishments throughout the Mankato area and the state of Minnesota. A portion of proceeds will go to the Jonathan Zierdt Cancer Fund.

After receiving the Best Collaboration award at the MN Brewers Guild Brewers Cup in April, Zierdt and Tupy discussed how best to capitalize on this humbling honor by utilizing their network of friends within the craft beer industry. Seventeen breweries across the state of Minnesota have stepped up and will be doing their part to educate and increase awareness surrounding men’s cancer. “We are super excited to keep Jonathan’s purpose of living fully alive and the pride he had for craft beer by embracing the cause amongst the craft beer industry in Minnesota.” said Zierdt.

Participating breweries include: Alloy Brewing Company, Blue Wolf Brewing Company, Broken Clock Brewing Cooperative, Clockwerks Brewing, Drastic Measures Brewing, Fergus Brewing Company, Garphish Brewing, HeadFlyer Brewing, Lift Bridge Brewing, Little Thistle, Mankato Brewery, Pantown Brewing, Rustech Brewing, Shakopee Brewhall,
Social Cider Werks, Surly Brewing Company, Uncommon Loon Brewing Company and Venn Brewing.

These local Minnesota breweries will be supporting the Jonathan Zierdt Cancer Fund in various ways including: promoting and supporting cancer related events on social media, educating people on men’s health and cancer awareness in their taprooms, and some are even brewing a special beer to be released during the month of November with portions of
proceeds benefiting the JZCF.

Mankato Brewery started producing beers in 2012 and is proud to revive the brewing tradition in the Key City. Mankato Brewery is the first production brewery in the community since 1967. Focused on creating authentic beers that reflect the heritage of the region and its people, the crew at Mankato Brewery invites you to try our beer and to Experience Local Flavor. Found online at www.mankatobrewery.com on Twitter (@MankatoBrewery) and on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/mankatobrewery/)

Lupulin Brewing is a craft brewery and taproom in Big Lake, MN. Lupulin’s brewing philosophy is to create rich, full flavored beers with particular focus on hop forward and Belgian styles. Lupulin Brewing is located on US Highway 10 in downtown Big Lake, MN, and can be found online at www.lupulinbrewing.com, on Twitter (@LupulinBrewing) and on
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/LupulinBrewing/)

The Jonathan Zierdt Cancer Fund (JZCF) a donor advised fund of the Mankato Area Foundation, was established in 2017 by Jonathan and Ginger Zierdt and a guiding coalition of engaged community leaders to build community cancer awareness and support. In Januar 2018, the JZCF launched their signature program – the JZ Caring Box – and will distribute over 1,000 of these specially designed care packages to area cancer patients annually. Found online at www.jzfullyalive.com and on Facebook.