East Coasters have banned together to support each other as the pandemic continues to challenge brewers across the country. Nova Scotian breweries are using their brews to support their communities. Last month, Boxing Rock Brewing Company in Shelburne, N.S., launched their Back to Birchtown ale in collaboration with Change is Brewing Collective. Formed in June 2020, the collective was created to tackle a lack of diversity and inclusion in the craft food and beverage industry. Their goal is to open the door to these industries through education, scholarships and employment for BIPOC communities.

Back to Birchtown is an old stock ale similar to the kind casked in the days of the Black Loyalists in Nova Scotia.

Proceeds from the sale of the beer will go to Change is Brewing Collective and the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre.

“Just in the creation of this beer specifically, we’ve been able to make connections not only with the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre but also Seed Shelburne, who is doing a lot of great work when it comes to environmental justice, especially for the Black community here in Shelburne,” said Change is Brewing Collective co-founder, Shekara Grant.

Another local brewery, Schoolhouse Brewery in Windsor, N.S., is creating a series of brews to support local community organizations. First out the gate is the new Community Stout where all of the proceeds sold from the beer will go to the Matthew 25/Windsor Food Bank.

The taproom had to close its doors for about 2.5 months during the first wave and once again during the second wave. It recently reopened its doors on February 24.

Photo courtesy of Boxing Rock Brewing Company