Lexington, Kentucky’s West Sixth Brewing turns 10 this month. Not only have they managed to thrive within a market that has seen significant increases in competition over the past ten years, but they have done so while donating six percent of all proceeds to local nonprofits and charities. In an event held on March 23, they announced that they had vastly surpassed their funding goal.

Upon reaching ten years, they did some math and found that West Sixth had donated over $1,000,000 to the more than 300 Kentucky-based organizations they’ve supported over the past decade. “The work is by no means done, of course” said co-founder Ben Self, “but this big number is an incredible testament to the spirit of our entire team and the great work that our non-profit partners have been doing over these past ten years.”

From the very beginning we started West Sixth Brewing with the goal of not just making the best beer in Kentucky, but also having a positive impact on the communities we’re a part of.

– West Sixth Brewing

In addition to a goal of continuing to expand their philanthropic efforts over the next ten years, West Sixth Brewing announced Wednesday night that they are launching the West Sixth for a Cause Foundation. The Foundation will formalize their various charity programs, bringing them together under a single umbrella. Existing programs Pay It Forward Cocoa Porter and the Wooden Nickel Program will be joined by a new initiative in which they will be working with Kentucky universities to provide scholarships for their brewing and distilling programs, with a focus on underrepresented demographics.

The West Sixth For a Cause Foundation is supported in part by a partnership with Blue Grass Community Foundation, who has worked with the brewery from the beginning. “The Community Foundation enjoys working with companies that put a focus on doing good,” said Lisa Adkins, President and CEO of Blue Grass Community Foundation. “We have a long association with West Sixth Brewing Company and it’s the perfect reflection of their culture to celebrate their 10th birthday by creating the West Sixth For a Cause Foundation.”

West Sixth Brewing celebrated their anniversary with a week of events starting on Saturday, March 19th, and culminating in what was to be a street party, but was changed to an in-brewery party, Saturday March 26th from noon to 8pm (with the weather taking a turn for the cold, they decided not many folks were likely to want to party in the street in 40 degree weather).

If you want to join in the celebration, but can’t attend, pick up a four-pack of the new Decade Double Double IPA, brewed especially for the anniversary celebration. The Decade Double is a mildly sweet, highly drinkable, high-gravity (8% ABV), double-dry hopped IPA with a blend of Comet, Strata, Simcoe, Chinook and Mosaic hops. The Decade Double is available in West Sixth taprooms and in stores around the state.

“If you ask most of our customers what we’re known for, it’s our flagship IPA, one of the best-selling IPAs in the state of Kentucky.,” said head brewer Andy Smith. “It just made good sense to give a nod to the beer that helped us get where we are by having our 10 year anniversary beer be a double IPA that brings a lot of big flavors to the fore.”

---

Can't visit the site everyday like us? Bummer! No worries, we've got you covered. Submit your email below to receive our monthlyish newsletter on reviews, tours, events and more!

Email address:

Leave this field empty if you're human: