Brewery using summer solstice to fight Alzheimer's

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – We’re less than an hour away from the longest day; the summer solstice is June 20.

It is also a day of awareness for the Alzheimer’s Association which uses the longest day to bring the disease out of the darkness, and on Thursday, a local brewery wants to make things even brighter for the association.

“We’re not here trying to become millionaires,” co-owner of Zaftig Brewing Co. Jim Gokenbach said. “We’re here to help the community and grow the community and that’s what craft beer is all about – community.”

And now, the Alzheimer’s Association will benefit from that spirit of community.

It’s the brainchild of Zaftig Operations and Brewing Manager Chris Moss, who created a special beer called Brighter Days to honor his grandfather.

“My grandfather was actually diagnosed with Alzheimer’s,” Moss said. “He suffered with it for five or six years. It actually took his life.”

After helping any number of non-profits over the years and serving as the official beer of the Columbus Crew, this is the first time Zaftig created a special brew for a cause.

“It’s not a super complex beer but it hits all the tasting notes,” Moss said. “It got a little bit of bitter it’s got a little bit of fruit in it.”

Brighter Days will be released at a special evening event on Thursday. It will also be available in stores and restaurants in the next week or two.

“The first run was 120 cases and we also have several, several kegs of it as well,” Gokenbach said.

But there is more on tap than beer; they are pushing knowledge and awareness.

“There's a lot of people that deal with this,” Moss said. “Just from us starting this process, there's people that are coming out of the woodwork that we didn't even know. It was part of their family.”

“Ultimately, the goal, obviously, hits close to home for us, but you know, we want to help end this disease,” Gokenbach said.

For more information on the beer and the event, click here.