NORTHERN MINNESOTA — Good beer depends on clean water, and clean water comes from healthy forests.
"If we take care of these forests and manage them appropriately, we can maintain that clean water.”Mark Jacobs
Minnesota’s Forest to Tap program through non-profit Dovetail Partners began in 2018 when a diverse group of partners came together to provide education on the importance of the forest industry for protecting water resources.
Mark Jacobs, one of the program’s founders, and Jeff Vondenkamp, owner of Portage Brewing Company in Walker, joined the KAXE Morning Show recently to talk about the importance of healthy forests, water, and beer.
“Seventy-five to 80% of the people in Minnesota get their water originally from forests. The rain that falls in forests flows into streams and ultimately, the Mississippi River," Jacobs said.
"When it comes out of those forests, it's very clean. We are trying to send that message to people that if we take care of these forests and manage them appropriately, that we can maintain that clean water.”
Forest to Tap breweries are committed to training staff and pledging sustainable use of water resources through promoting Forest to Tap events and continued engagement.
Contributed/Forest to TapA Bemidji Block Party patron carries a handful of beverages at the the celebration at the 2023 Bemidji Block Party on Saturday, June 24, 2023, in downtown Bemidji. The block party was co-hosted by KAXE/KBXE and Bemidji Brewing and was free to the public. Made possible by the Minnesota Arts & Culture Heritage Fund.
Red pine seedlings, provided by UPM Blandin Paper, are for anyone who purchases a beer during “Happy Hour for the Forest” at a participating brewery.
"Happy Hour for the Forest” is from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, April 26, at these participating locations:
- Portage Brewing Company in Walker
- Bemidji Brewing
- Klockow Brewing in Grand Rapids
- Block North Brew Pub in Aitkin
- Cuyuna Brewing Co. in Crosby
- Jack Pine Brewery in Baxter
- Big Axe Brew Co. in Nisswa
- Roundhouse Brewery in Nisswa
Tell us about upcoming events where you live in Northern Minnesota by emailing psa@kaxe.org.
