Reunion Ale

Being a huge fan of Terrapin beers AND the fact that this is a good cause AND that this sounds like a reaaaalllly good beer, I will pass this along.  If you find it locally for goodness sakes let me know so that I can imbibe, too.  - Bon

New York, NY - July 24, 2012 - Teaming up as brewing partners with Terrapin Beer Company and Alan Shapiro (founder of SBS Imports), Shmaltz Brewing is proud to participate for the second year in creating Reunion Ale '12: A Beer for Hope®. Now in its sixth year of production, Reunion® is brewed annually in memory of Virginia MacLean, a dedicated cancer research supporter who lost her own battle with Multiple Myeloma in 2007 and a dear friend and co-worker of Alan Shapiro and Pete Slosberg's (creator of Pete's Wicked Ale™). As a tribute to Virginia, a portion of the proceeds from Reunion Ale '12® is donated directly to the IMBCR. Reunion Ale '12® is now available in 22 oz bottles, as well as limited amounts of draft in the nearly 40 U.S. states that receive distribution from Terrapin and Shmaltz - and in Western Canada, through Shmaltz's distribution network. National fundraising events will occur throughout the summer and fall.

Inspired by a scrumptious dessert at one of MacLean's favorite restaurants, Reunion Ale '12® is a dark brown Imperial Ale brewed with vanilla, cinnamon, and cocoa nibs from Nashville, Tennessee's Olive and Sinclair Chocolate Company. Brewmasters Spike Buckowski (Terrapin Beer Co.), Pete Slosberg, Paul McErlean (Shmaltz Brewing Co.), and Shmaltz Brewing proprietor, Jeremy Cowan designed this year's recipe to combine sweet and spicy aromas with a complex malt base and decadent vanilla and chocolate overtones.

Reunion® was initially conceived by Shapiro, MacLean and Slosberg - who all worked together during the early days of Pete's Brewing Company - as a way to increase awareness of myeloma and bone cancer and raise donations for the IMBCR. Although MacLean passed away just four months after the release of Reunion® 2007, the Reunion project has continued the vision of these three friends by raising more than $130,000 for the IMBCR through bottle and draft sales of Reunion®, retailer fundraising events, and private donations. "Virginia emphasized the importance of continuing our support of IMBCR," Shapiro explains. "She believed wholeheartedly in the work of the Institute and understood the value of bringing hope to others." "Every dollar we raise goes directly to IMBCR to fund research," adds co-founder, Pete Slosberg. Beer lovers can also donate money directly through the Reunion website, the Reunion Facebook page, or the IMBCR website.

Reunion Ale '12® is Shmaltz Brewing's second collaboration with Shapiro and Slosberg. Cowan's relationship with the two founders dates back to the San Francisco craft beer scene in the 1990s. "Shmaltz is extremely pleased to be a part of the Reunion family," says Cowan. "Tzedakah (charity) is one of the core values of Shmaltz Brewing. To be able to work with longtime industry friends on this project makes it even more special for our entire company."

National fundraising and featured beer events will commence throughout the summer and fall to raise funds and awareness for the Institute for Myeloma & Bone Cancer Research. National and regional events will soon be added to the online calendar at http://www.shmaltzbrewing.com/.

About IMBCR

The Institute for Myeloma and Bone Cancer Research is dedicated to independent research on developing effective therapies that improve the quality of life and longevity of patients with myeloma and bone cancer. Myeloma and bone cancer are two of the fastest growing diseases in the world, afflicting more than one million people in the U.S. alone.

About Shmaltz Brewing Company

Shmaltz Brewing Company was named "Best American Craft Brewer" and won the "Best In Show 2010" title by Beverage World Magazine, after being named "Breakout Brand" for 2009. Ranked in 2012 as one of the "Top 50 Brewers in the World" by RateBeer.com, Shmaltz was also included in the "Top 50 Fastest Growing Bay Area Companies" by San Francisco Business Times, and is a recipient of the "Distinguished Business Award" by the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.

Established in San Francisco in 1996, with the first batch of 100 cases of HE'BREW Beer® bottled, labeled, and delivered by hand, Shmaltz has sold more than ten million bottles of beer to date. Along with their acclaimed line of HE'BREW Beers®, Shmaltz introduced its new line of sideshow-inspired Coney Island Craft Lagers®. Shmaltz offerings are available in more than 30 states through 35 wholesalers at more than 3,500 retail specialty shops across the U.S., including Beverages & More, Whole Foods, Total Wine, select Krogers and Cost Plus.