Run for Beer lifts up community and local breweries

It was an exciting day in the Lincoln Park neighborhood Sunday, where a Run for Beer encouraged community members to be active and support local breweries.

“I think this is just a really fun way to get out, get some exercise and meet new people and drink beer,” Sara James of Minneapolis said.

The Run for Beer is organized by the Brewery Running Series, which was founded in the Twin Cities in 2012 and travels to breweries across the state and nation, including Duluth the last couple of years.

“Our whole mission is to be active, have fun and give back. We encourage healthy activity whatever your level—run, walk, jog. It doesn’t matter. You’re welcome to come,” Morgan Jappe, co-founder of the Brewery Running Series said.

Participants were given the option to run a. 5k, 2.5k or a 5k along a course that stretched from Bent Paddle to Wild State Cider. Along the way, there were a number of booths to stop at.

“It’s a great way to check out and support local businesses, as well as, fitness studios, yoga, studios, non-profit organizations—all kinds of groups that are around in the neighborhood,” Jappe said.

From one brewery to another, the comradery of running and reviving the local economy through craft beer could be seen and felt.

“For me, it’s about going out, having fun, being active and supporting our local breweries. Let’s all face it. We all need help at this time and it a great way to have fun, get out there and people here are so friendly. It’s like a family,” Nicole Tock, Ambassador for the Brewery Running Series said.

Another pro? A portion of proceeds to go charity. This year, it will go to Bent Paddle’s Paddle It Forward program.

“We’re not only supporting local businesses. We’re actually supporting local fundraising events,” Tock said.

More information about the Brewery Running Series can be found here.