Islanders will now be able to tilt back a cold one while saving the whales, thanks to the efforts of a local brewery.
Vancouver Island Brewing has partnered with the Pacific Salmon Foundation to launch the “pod pack,” a beer sampler pack that aims to raise funds supporting Southern resident killer whales.
Each beer in the four-pack draws its name from one of the whales in the J and L-pods of Southern resident killer whales:
- Mike (J26) — a Rosé pale ale by Whistle Buoy brewing for the whale named after scientist Michael Bigg
- Solstice (L89) — a Plum & Rosemary Saison from Ace Brewing for the 28-year-old member of L-pod
- Wave Walker (L88) — Helles Bock by Ucluelet Brewing for the whale who was named for his wave-riding when he was first spotted
- Tahlequah (J35) — Pacific Gose from Mayne Island Brewing for the mother that captivated hearts with her lost child, and her new baby last year
“We had a fantastic time launching Pod Fest in 2019,” said David Nicolls, general manager of Vancouver Island Brewing.
“And while we’re not able to put on a beer festival this year due to the pandemic, we’re still raising awareness of issues facing salmon stocks and how these issues affect the biodiversity of Vancouver Island- a place we’re lucky enough to call home.”
When the pod pack first launched in 2019, $15,000 was raised for the Pacific Salmon Foundation.
The breweries are hoping to match or beat this goal, with one dollar from every Pod Pack donated to preserve wild B.C. salmon stocks, a vital part of the Southern resident whales’ food supply.
Funding also supports marine research and data management that will allow scientists to better understand the decline of salmon populations in the Salish Sea.
Recent poor health of Southern resident killer whales suggests the marine mammals are not getting enough to eat.
“Chinook catches in the Salish Sea declined to about one-tenth of past levels more than two decades ago and have never recovered,” said Michael Meneer, president and CEO of the Pacific Salmon Foundation.
“Thanks to the research supported by the Pod Pack we have been able to prioritize a suite of urgent restoration and enhancement initiatives, and policy reforms, to help Chinook recover.”
The pod pack is now available for purchase from vibrewing.com for local delivery.
It will also be on store shelves in select private and government liquor stores on Vancouver Island and across B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan through early summer.
