The women of Steel & Oak are brewing up a special beer to help a charity working to end violence against women.
Inspired by the #MeToo hashtag that went viral on social media in October and highlighted the magnitude of sexual harassment and sexual assault against women, the women of Steel & Oak decided they wanted to do something to support women who’ve been victims of violence. Zusammen, a new S&O beer, is raising funds for WAVAW Rape Crisis Centre.
“I work at Steel & Oak but I also work at WAVAW, so I see the impact of how much WAVAW relies on donations,” said Heather Prost, who has worked at S&O for two-and-a-half years. “I pretty much wanted to do an extension of the #MeToo movement and do actual action. The women of Steel & Oak developed a recipe, the name and the label. Of course, our head brewer assisted us because a lot of us don’t have brewing experience.”
Zusammen, which means “together” in German, is being unveiled this week.
“Because it’s winter, we wanted to make something comforting. And also, because the beer itself means togetherness we wanted a flavour profile that evoked a comforting flavour – so we picked cardamom and figs,” Prost said. “The name is an extension of those flavours. Also, because we are doing something for an organization that supports survivors.”
WAVAW Rape Crisis Centre, which works to end all forms of violence against women, offers a variety of services including a 24-hour toll-free crisis line, counselling programs and victim services programs such as support, advocacy, information, and accompaniments to the hospital, police station and court for sexual assault survivors.
In addition to being sold at select liquor stores, Zusammen will be available on tap at some liquor establishments. Steel & Oak will be donating partial proceeds of bottle sales to WAVAW Rape Crisis Centre.
Zusammen will also be served up at the beer’s launch party/WAVAW fundraiser at the Terminal Pub on Thursday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. The Terminal Pub is donating $1.50 from every pint to WAVAW.
“They only have two kegs because it is a limited beer,” Prost said. “I am imagining we will probably tap out of the beer that night – at least I hope so.”
The fundraiser features a silent auction and a raffle, as well as a presentation by Good Night Out Vancouver, part of an international initiative dedicated to helping licensed premises tackle and prevent harassment.
“Everybody is welcome to attend,” Prost said. “We are hoping people can get some of their Christmas shopping done at the event. We will also be bringing a donation box in case someone wants to make a cash donation to WAVAW.”
With one line available for WAVAW’s 24-hour crisis line and a one-and-a-half year waiting list for one-on-one counselling, Prost hopes the fundraiser will raise much-needed funds for the organization.
“I really want this organization to be able to have another crisis line and to have the ability to lower its wait list,” she said.
