Loudoun breweries team up for suicide prevention awareness project

On Wednesday, representatives from the breweries met to launch the project at Old Ox Brewery in Ashburn.

They anticipate releasing the beer, which is described as a hoppy American Pale Ale, in mid-to-late October, Baki said. It will be available in kegs on tap, growlers to-go and in 16-ounce can four packs.

Participating breweries include Bear Chase, Belly Love Brewing, Beltway Brewing Co., Black Hoof, Dynasty, Hillsborough Farm Brewery, Loudoun Brewing Co., Ocelot, Old 690, Old Ox, Quattro Goombas, Lost Barrel and Wheatland Spring Farm + Brewery.

In addition to the breweries, other businesses involved in the effort include Brewers Supply Group, Doug Fabbioli, Jasper Yeast and Randy Krukles.

Baki explained that suicide prevention is a very important cause that is close to all of the people involved in the project.

“In the past several years, we’ve lost four amazing people from the local brewing community,” Baki said. “It’s a tragedy that so many suffer in silence, unable or unwilling to reach out for help from the stigma associated with suicide and suicidal thoughts. Many of us go through hard times, low times, dark times and it’s so important for those people who are suffering to know you are not alone.”

He said the group hopes to spread the word that there is help available and they want to generate awareness of the struggles people face on a daily basis and to relieve their fear of reaching out for help.

In addition to the beer release, each brewery will have resources available for the public to learn more about AFSP, suicide prevention and local outlets where people can go to seek help.

Baki said the breweries have agreed to donate 100% of every dollar sold to AFSP and their goal is to raise $30,000.

“This is a collective effort to raise awareness locally through our craft and to donate as much as we can to an organization that is working tirelessly to prevent suicide,” Baki said.

Editors’ Note: The story has been updated to add Lost Barrel Brewing as one of the participating breweries.