Community Common sales support the Penticton and Area Cycling Association.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED / Kim Lawton

It’s about building community, one craft beer at a time.

That’s the message from Kim Lawton, one of the masterminds behind the inaugural Penticton Beer Week that wrapped up Saturday, Oct. 26. While Penticton Beer Week may have come and gone, its legacy lives on.

As part of the inaugural event, Penticton’s seven breweries joined forces to make a special collaboration beer now available in pubs and craft beer liquor stores across the Okanagan. Dubbed Community Common, the California Common-style beer is medium-bodied with malty character, hops, and fruit notes. But outside the can is where this brew shines.

“This limited release collaboration beer is a fundraiser beer, where a portion of the proceeds will be donated to a local non-profit/charity. Each year, the beneficiary will change,” Lawton said, adding that proceeds will support the Penticton and Area Cycling Association. “Our trails are such a big part of Penticton. We felt it was a really nice group to support.”

Terry McWhirter, president of the cycling assocation, said their mission is to advocate, build, and support cycling experiences in the community. The donation will go towards developing and enhancing Penticton's trails and local cycling infrastructure.

The special collaboration beer is available while supplies last at pubs and craft beer liquor stores across the Okanagan.

However, Lawton said, next year will see a new brew and new charity supported.

“It was really great. We got some really good feedback from people,” said Lawton. “People were excited to have great events to attend in October.”

Part of the success, Lawton said, was the wide variety of events that offered something for everyone. And it’s a festival that might not have been possible in any other industry.

“You have seven what would-be competitors in another industry. We actually worked together as colleagues,” said Lawton. “When we work together… (we’re) building community, one craft beer at a time."

Emanuel Sequeira, left, and Harpreet Sidhu enjoy some of the special beer releases launched at Slackwater Brewing's Bustin' the Barrel event Oct. 25.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED / Kim Lawton

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