Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner, Texas, craft brewer of Shiner Bock, donated $500,000 to nonprofit organizations throughout Texas to support relief efforts for Hurricane Harvey.
The $500,000 contribution has been diversified among several nonprofit organizations, including the American Red Cross, Greater Houston Community Foundation, United Way of Greater Houston, Coastal Bend Community Foundation, United Way of the Coastal Bend, Feeding Texas (formerly Texas Food Bank Network) and Team Rubicon, which supports emergency response teams comprised of first responders and veterans. All funds are specifically designated to support the Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.
In anticipation of Hurricane Harvey, Shiner’s brewery shut down production and temporarily closed on Friday, Aug. 25, 2017, to ensure the safety of its local employees. The brewery reopened the following Monday with minimal damage.
Jimmy Mauric, Shiner’s brewmaster, said, “All of our employees have been affected in some way by this disaster. Nearly all of us have family or loved ones in Houston and along the Texas coast where the impact has been most devastating. We are praying for all those affected.”
In the wake of similar past catastrophes, Shiner Beers and its ownership have helped charitable organizations in the most affected areas. The most recent contribution was targeted for relief after the catastrophic flooding in Central Louisiana in 2016. Prior to that, Shiner contributed to the relief efforts for Hurricane Sandy in 2012, Hurricane Ike in Houston in 2008 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005.