DENVER, CO – Since mid-2011, Great Divide Brewing Company has donated 100% of the proceeds from the samples poured in the brewery’s Tap Room to local non-profit groups. Throughout 2012, the first full year of the program, the company donated $73,201 to fifteen deserving organizations.

Visitors to Great Divide’s Tap Room, a diverse mix of local beer enthusiasts and out-of-town travelers, can purchase three 3-ounce samples of beer for $3, with 100% of the proceeds going to selected non-profits. Additional samples are available for $1 each, with those proceeds also being donated to the designated group.

During 2012, donation recipients included several neighborhood non-profits, such as the Denver Foundation’s Summer Food Program, First Descents, Cooking Matters, Bruce Randolph School Y Achievers, East High School Student Assistance Fund, Colorado Youth at Risk, The GrowHaus, and YouthBiz, as well as local divisions of Boys Hope Girls Hope, Habitat for Humanity, and ARC.

“The sample program is an easy and affordable way for our guests to experience a wide range of our beers in one visit,” says Great Divide’s Founder and President, Brian Dunn, “and it’s also a great way for us give a significant amount to money to some important local organizations that do some really good work in our neighborhood and beyond.  The Denver community has been extremely supportive of Great Divide over the years and has been a big part of our success.  I’m really happy to see the brewery be able to give back.”

Besides the cash donations raised through the Tap Room throughout the year, Great Divide also donates several thousand dollars of beer for various non-profit organizations’ outside fundraising efforts. “Beer certainly gets people in the giving mood,” says Dunn, “and we’re glad to participate knowing that our beer can help the success of any given fundraising event.”

Throughout the company’s 18-year history, Great Divide has been a key local business in the revitalization of Denver’s Ballpark neighborhood, and is a proud and active member of the Ballpark Neighborhood Association.

About Great Divide Brewing Company

Great Divide brews some of the globe’s most balanced yet assertive and flavorful beers. These beers have landed an impressive amount of acclaim: Great Divide beers have earned 17 Great American Beer Festival awards and 5 World Beer Cup awards. Great Divide was also ranked 14th in RateBeer.com’s 2012 “Best Brewers in the World” and was ranked 7th in Beer Advocate’s 2010 “All-Time Top Brewers.” But why take their word for it? Crack open a bottle and decide for yourself.

Great Divide Brewing Company is located at 2201 Arapahoe Street in downtown Denver at the corner of 22nd And Arapahoe streets. The Tap Room is open Sunday through Tuesday from 2pm-8pm and Wednesday through Saturday from 2pm-10pm.

For more information on Great Divide Brewing Company, please contact Marketing Coordinator Doug Christie at doug.christie@greatdivide.com.