Stone Brewing is donating $100,000 to the memory of brewer Matt Courtright, who died following an accident at the brewery last year.
Stone recently released a beer it calls Matt’s Burning Rosids Imperial Cherrywood-Smoked Saison, based on one of his recipes. The $100,000 donation is made possible by proceeds from the sale of the beer.
The non-profits that will benefit are GoDesignInc.org, which is devoted to meeting the architectural needs of developing communities around the world; and TKF – Tariq Khamisa Foundation, which is working to stop youth violence by educating, mentoring and making positive impacts on youths in high-risk communities. The Matt Courtright Memorial Brewing Scholarship is being administered through the Southern California District of the Master Brewers Association of the Americas (MBAA), and will provide tuition assistance to one of the three brewing technical schools offered by the MBAA.
“All of Team Stone, especially the brew crew, was deeply saddened to lose a beloved and vital talent from our group,” Stone brewmaster Mitch Steele said for a press release. “As soon as I tasted the small batch Matt had made of Burning Rosids, it was decided without hesitation that this amazing recipe would be a wonderful way to pay tribute to all of the contributions he gave us, while also donating funds to causes he whole-heartedly respected.”
Courtright was operating a forklift at the brewery last August when the machine rolled over on him. He died from the resulting injuries.