Since 2015, Norfolk’s O’Connor Brewing Co. has donated a portion of the proceeds from its Endless Saison Series beers to Surfrider Foundation Virginia Beach Chapter in support of their mission to protect and preserve the world’s oceans, beaches and waves.
The donations and partnership between O’Connor Brewing Co. and Surfrider Foundation Virginia Beach Chapter have permitted the creation of two Ocean Friendly Gardens in the Coastal Virginia area. Ocean Friendly Gardens are Surfrider’s volunteer-run landscape education, hands-on training and advocacy program that seeks to treat streets, hardscapes and streets with CPR—conservation, permeability and retention.
Fourth and fifth grade students study the gardens as a part of their curriculum at the local Ocean Friendly Gardens located at Seatack Elementary School and Achievable Dream Academy in Virginia Beach. A third local Ocean Friendly Garden is located at O’Connor Brewing Co.’s outdoor beer garden in Norfolk. Surfrider Foundation Virginia Beach Chapter hopes to construct several more Ocean Friendly Gardens throughout the Coastal Virginia region.
Christina Trapani, the Rise Above Plastics Coordinator at Surfrider Foundation Virginia Beach Chapter commented, “We’re very excited about this partnership. This is going to help our chapter build more Ocean Friendly Gardens around Hampton Roads, and we can’t thank O’Connor Brewing Co. enough for that opportunity.”
O’Connor Brewing Co. established its partnership with Surfrider Foundation Virginia Beach Chapter on August 21, 2015. The announcement of this partnership was celebrated by the brewery’s re-release of its Bells Beach Galaxy Saison, one of their signature fall brews in its Endless Saison Series. Bells Beach is set to be released again on Friday, July 14 in commemoration of their two years of partnership with Surfrider Foundation Virginia Beach Chapter.
The Endless Saison Series was inspired by some of the most famous surf spots around the world. Bells Beach and its Australian-inspired flavor is said to boast the perfect balance Saison yeast, oats, local wildflower honey, and of course, Galaxy Hops.