A few weeks ago, the Crew was invited to stop by Steel Bender one morning to learn about an upcoming charity campaign. Well, upcoming then, almost here now, as it will kick off Tuesday.

Working with M’tucci’s/Teddy Roe’s, plus Admiral Beverage, Albertsons Market/Market Street, and 100.3 The Peak, this new campaign will replace the former One for Five that ended last year.

How can you participate? Drink a special beer. No, really, that’s it, and it’s a really tasty beer. Teddy Roe’s Policy IPA has been re-imagined as a juicy IPA, and it will be available in four-packs at Steel Bender and Albertsons Market/Market Street locations in Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Santa Fe, Taos, and Los Lunas.

It will also be available on draft at Steel Bender, all four M’tucci’s locations, and Teddy Roe’s (and just as a quick note, that’s the speakeasy/bar on the backside of the M’tucci’s Bar Roma in Nob Hill, formerly Kellys Brewpub). The bar has also created a Steeling Summer cocktail, utilizing passion fruit, Caravedo pisco, and the IPA.

What makes this beer even more special is rather than just $1 per pint going to charity, 100 percent of the profits of sales throughout the month of July will go to Mandy’s Farm. If you have not heard of Mandy’s Farm before, they are a very worthy nonprofit that helps “empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through housing, employment, and community support,” per a Steel Bender press release.

They also have a goat race during their annual Kentucky Derby watch party, so that’s pretty fun, too.

Everything kicks off Tuesday, as mentioned above, at the Market Street location at 2200 Unser Blvd SE in Rio Rancho near Rust Medical Center. Starting at 3 p.m., you can mingle with folks from Steel Bender as they hold tastings of the IPA, plus representatives from Mandy’s Farm will be there to share more about what good they do for the community. From 4 to 6 p.m., Jackie & Tony from 100.3 The Peak will be broadcasting live on site with special prizes for listeners.

In another good sign, all of the hops used in this version of Policy IPA were donated for free by Hopsteiner, Hollingbery & Son, and Yakima Chief Hops, as were the labels by Blue Label Packaging.

So whether you head out to the big event Tuesday (get your shopping done early for the Fourth of July weekend), or you just find yourself at the brewery, a M’tucci’s location, or Teddy Roe’s, make sure to grab some Policy IPA in cans or on draft. I may not be the biggest hophead in the world, but I thought it was a damn good IPA, neither too bitter nor too sweet, just balanced throughout and packed with all sorts of fruity flavors.

Here’s to local supporting local. It’s what we do best in New Mexico.

Cheers!

— Stoutmeister