Throughout the Pacific Northwest, Buoy Beer has become known for its exceptional handcrafted brews, locally sourced food and friendly atmosphere with an unbeatable vista of the lower Columbia River. As the local business continues to grow by increasing brewing capacity, installing a canning line in early 2017 and expanding the size of the restaurant’s kitchen, Buoy Beer continues to give back to the community in a big way.
Buoy Beer was originally founded by a handful of talented, driven individuals who wanted to make a positive difference in the community. Local entrepreneur and CEO Luke Colvin brought together family, friends, fishermen and chefs to open the doors in 2014. Soon after, he worked hard to establish a successful donations program.
Known as “Pints for a Purpose,” the program donates $1 per pint purchased of a select beer on tap to a local charity. “We have been doing this for close to two years and are on the eighth charity that this program has donated to,” explains Jessyka Dart-Mclean, Buoy Beer’s donations and merchandise manager.
Most recently, with the incredible generosity of Buoy Beer patrons, 2,872 pints were sold to benefit Wigglin’ Home Boxer Rescue. For the first time, Pints for a Purpose was paired with a special event where Wigglin’ Home Boxer Rescue brought eligible dogs for adoption. Participants signed up to foster dogs, and one dog was adopted. The non-profit organization is run solely by volunteers and re-homes boxers in Washington, Oregon and parts of Idaho. The group works hard to educate people on boxer personality, increasing awareness of the dangers of backyard breeding and placing boxers with appropriate families.
While charities are usually selected from the lower Columbia region in order to have hyper-local impact, the current charity was selected in response to the detrimental fire season the Columbia River faced. Thus, during the months of October, November, and December, $1 of every Lost in the Woods IPA purchased will be donated to Friends of the Columbia Gorge. This organization is highly involved in conservation, recreation and educational activities throughout the Gorge.
In addition to Pints for a Purpose, Buoy Beer has hosted a number of events that not only give back, but also encourage people to be active. Melissa Lahti and a few other staff members “headed up the ‘Community Involvement Committee’ this summer as a way to activate employees and invite the community to get involved, too,” says Dart-Mclean. “Having a donations program and ways for staff and community to get involved fits into Buoy Beer’s purpose.” Buoy Beer staff and community members have participated in a SOLVE clean-up at Fort Stevens State Park, removed ivy at Shively Park and demolished fencing at the Wildlife Center of the North Coast.
During the rainy season, Buoy Beer plans to partner with the Maritime Archaeological Society. The partnership will focus on mapping different anchors and artifacts around the Clatsop County area, which will highlight the maritime heritage of our region. The Maritime Archaeological Society does work with shipwreck documentation and public education on maritime history.
Lahti and the Community Committee aim to host one event per month and continue to work on charity selections for 2018 Pints for a Purpose. Do you know of a local organization or charity that could be a part of Pints for a Purpose? Direct them to the Buoy Beer donations page in order to apply. Keep up-to-date on upcoming community events and more by following Buoy Beer on Twitter.
Explains Dart-Mclean, “Together, we spend our days (and nights) making good beer, great food and working hard to create a tremendous space and culture for our community to enjoy with us. And we’re proud of that.”
Buoy Beer
No. 1 Eighth Street in Astoria
503-325-4540
Open at 11:00 a.m. daily
