Fundraising on tap: proceeds from new Thunder Bay, Ont.-brewed beer to benefit Staal Foundation

A new beer developed by a local Thunder Bay, Ont., brewery is set to flow from a number of taps in town and some of the proceeds will help children and families in the northwest.

Thunder Bay's Sleeping Giant Brewing Company unveiled its Grass Roots lager on Thursday, in partnership with the Staal Foundation Open, as it will support the family's charity efforts with one dollar from every purchase of the beer going to the Staal Family Foundation.

The foundation is run by the family that includes professional hockey players Eric, Marc, Jordan and Jared Staal, raises money to help families with children with cancer.

The Staal Foundation Open is Thunder Bay's stop on the Mackenzie Tour, a professional golf circuit. The Staal Open, which has Tbaytel as a primary sponsor, also raises money for local charities.

"Our local distributors are also taking on the challenge to promote this partnership and we will see who will come out on top and raise the most funds," Matt Pearson, the co-owner of Sleeping Giant Brewery was quoted as saying in a written release. 

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"It's great to know a portion of the proceeds are doing a little bit of good in Thunder Bay and we are certain customers have a thirst for a cause-worthy beer." 

"This is a new concept for our family and the tournament," Eric Staal was quoted as saying in the same release. "It's awesome to see a successful local company supporting the Staal Family Foundation." 

The Staal Open tournament runs at Whitewater Golf Course from July 10 to 16. The open has raised about $500,000 over the past three years.