Talking Cedar Brews for Justice With MMIW Tribal Pale Ale

Talking Cedar Brewery’s new MMIW Tribal Pale Ale shines a light on the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. The limited-edition beer brings together Indigenous art, Pacific Northwest brewing – and a commitment to supporting the cause. A portion of proceeds will benefit the Urban Indian Health Institute and its work supporting affected families.

A press release from Talking Cedar Brewery announced that MMIW Tribal Pale Ale (6.5% ABV) will be a limited-edition release, available in Washington State, Oregon, and Idaho at a SRP of $12.99.

Packaged in a 4-pack of 16-ounce cans marked “Brewed for Justice, Brewed for Our Sisters,” the launch channels Talking Cedar’s craft and community roots into direct support for one of the most overlooked human rights issues in North America. A portion of proceeds from every can sold will support the Urban Indian Health Institute (UIHI), selected by the brewery for its critical research, advocacy, and support for families affected by the MMIW crisis. 

According to The Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Indigenous women experience violence at rates up to 10 times higher than the national average. The U.S. homicide clearance rate stands at between 50 to 60 percent, but significantly less cases involving Indigenous women are resolved. 

“More people should know about this crisis, and more people should be upset by it,” says Jackie Dodd-Mallory, Director of Marketing at Talking Cedar. “Beer is our craft. It’s what we make, it’s how we connect with people, and in this case, it gives us a way to bring this issue in front of an audience that may not otherwise hear about it. If we can use what we do to get more people paying attention, asking questions, and caring about what’s happening to Indigenous women, then that matters.”

Each can of MMIW Tribal Pale Ale features original artwork by Ryan Burnett, a Chehalis Tribe member and interdisciplinary artist recognized at the Washington State History Museum and by the Washington State In the Spirit competition. His hand-and-face design reflects the red hand symbol widely recognized as a marker of the MMIW movement.

Crafted at Talking Cedar’s Rochester, WA, facility, MMIW Tribal Pale Ale is hoppy and bright, with notes of pine and citrus. Made with water sourced from the Chehalis Tribe’s aquifer, the beer reflects the brewery’s broader focus on hop-forward, Pacific Northwest-style brewing, tying every pint back to the land it comes from.

“Tribal Pale Ale is defined by a connection to place as much as flavor,” says Ryan Myhre, Director of Brewing and Distilling Operations. “We built this beer around the bright pine and citrus character that people expect from a PNW pale ale, but what truly makes it Tribal is its connection to tribal lands, tribal water, and the stories we have an opportunity to tell through it. For us, creating this style was a way to pair great brewing with a greater cause.” 

MMIW Tribal Pale Ale is a limited-edition release, currently available in Washington State, Oregon, and Idaho. For information about Talking Cedar, please visit www.talkingcedar.com and follow on Instagram @talking.cedar. 

About Talking Cedar Brewery

Founded and owned by the Chehalis Tribe in Rochester, Washington, approximately two hours southwest of Seattle, Talking Cedar Brewery has built one of the Pacific Northwest’s most distinctive Native-owned craft beer programs. Chehalis Beer represents Talking Cedar’s flagship expression of approachable, everyday craft brewing rooted in place. The brewery is comprised of a state-of-the-art 35,000-square-foot facility that seamlessly blends production and hospitality. All beers are brewed with water from the tribe’s aquifer and support sustainable practices, including returning spent grain to local farmers. The portfolio spans approachable American lagers to hop-forward Northwest IPAs, including Chehalis Light, Pacific Northwest IPA, Baltic Porter, and Juicy IPA.