IOWA CITY — Big Grove Brewery in Iowa City introduced its latest brew, Fruitfully Just, at a launch event Thursday evening, with all proceeds benefiting Iowa Legal Aid. The new beer is set to raise $10,000 for the nonprofit, which provides free civil legal assistance to low-income Iowans.
Iowa Legal Aid, a nonprofit founded in 1977, offers legal support in civil cases such as housing disputes, family law, and domestic violence. Unlike criminal cases, where the Constitution guarantees the right to counsel, civil cases do not, leaving many Iowans without legal representation in critical matters.
“We see a lot of individuals in legal situations like eviction hearings or seeking protection orders in domestic violence cases,” said Nick Smithberg, executive director of Iowa Legal Aid. “Without an attorney, navigating the legal system can be incredibly difficult, especially for those who aren’t lawyers.”
In 2023, Iowa Legal Aid handled nearly 17,000 cases, assisting more than 40,000 people across the state. As a nonprofit, the organization relies on various funding sources, including partnerships like the one with Big Grove Brewery.
The collaboration began after Iowa Legal Aid applied for Big Grove Brewery’s annual “Big Grove for Good” grant. Smithberg was surprised when the brewery suggested a new fundraising approach: creating a beer to benefit the organization. “That wasn’t something we had thought of, but it’s a creative way to engage people and raise awareness for our cause,” he said.
Mikala Demet, community and project manager for Big Grove Brewery, explained that Fruitfully Just was first brewed last year in collaboration with another organization. When Iowa Legal Aid reached out, the brewery saw an ideal opportunity to align the beer’s mission with the cause of promoting equitable justice. “Their mission really resonated with the story we wanted to tell with the beer,” Demet said.
The brewery plans to donate the projected $10,000 profit from Fruitfully Just to Iowa Legal Aid, with launch events designed to educate the public about the organization’s work. Thursday’s event featured free samples of the beer, food, and informational displays about Iowa Legal Aid’s services.
“We’re not just making a donation, but also using the event to help raise awareness,” Demet said. “It’s about getting people to talk about Iowa Legal Aid and advocate for their mission.”
A similar event was held on Tuesday in Des Moines, where Smithberg described the turnout as “well-attended and fun.” He added that he was excited to bring the initiative to Iowa City.
Giving back to the community is central to Big Grove Brewery’s mission. With locations in Solon, Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, and Des Moines, the brewery has donated approximately $200,000 to 150 local organizations in 2024 alone.
“We can’t do this without the community’s support,” Demet said. “That’s why we’re committed to giving back to the communities that help us thrive.”
Iowa City resident Maggie Dressel, who attended the Thursday launch event, praised both the beer and the cause. “It’s delicious,” she said. “Iowa Legal Aid is a great organization, and our state is lucky to have it.”
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