News & Updates

Bank Walleye Chop at the State Fair

Press Release For Immediate Release

Dog Days for Fishing? Catch Your Walleye Chop at the State Fair Walleye Chop is Beer for Wildlife Saint Paul, Minn.

August 23, 2010

Minnesota’s newest seasonal beer, Walleye Chop, is making its inaugural appearance at the Minnesota State Fair. Brewed by the Bank Beer Company from Hendricks, Minnesota, Walleye Chop will be available on draft at the Famous Dave’s stand and in bottles at Giggles Campfire Grill. The Great Minnesota Get-Together will be the last chance to sample the seasonal Walleye Chop for the year. “Walleye Chop pours a clear copper color with good body and head,” says Bank Beer Company owner and brew master Jason Markkula, “It should go down especially well with bacon on a stick at Famous Daves or walleye cakes served by Giggles Campfire Grill.” Walleye Chop and their other seasonal beer from Bank Beer Company, Rooster Lager, both benefit Minnesota wildlife. A portion of proceeds from every pack of Walleye Chop and Rooster Lager sold goes to Pheasants Forever’s Build a Wildlife Area campaign, which works to acquire lands and then open them as public hunting and recreation areas. The Build a Wildlife Area campaign has helped acquire 4,300 aces that have been turned over to state and federal agencies as public areas in Minnesota. The Build a Wildlife program is set up to utilize matching state and federal grants to maximize donations, so when you purchase a 12-pack of Walleye Chop or Rooster Lager, the proceeds donated to Pheasants Forever end up being tripled. “Who can’t drink to that?” says Markkula. Walleye Chop is on shelves April through September, while Rooster Lager is available September through April. For more information contact Jason Markkula at JM@BeerForWildlfe.com. You can also find Bank Beer on Twitter and on Facebook

7 comments

  1. Kristen England says:

    Anyone else have this beer? I had on the other day and was wondering what people thought…

  2. Jonny says:

    @ Kristen

    Only one review over at BA, but this one sounds interesting. It also sounds as if Cold Spring has been turning out some good contract-brewed alcoholic beverages lately!

  3. Kristen England says:

    I’m on the complete other end of that review. I just wanted to see maybe if I got a bad pint b/c of dirty lines or dirty glass or such.

  4. Trav says:

    I bought a 12pk in Northern MN last summer for about 10 bucks, its your basic run of the mill lager. I like the cause WAY more then the beer.

  5. Kristen England says:

    Trav,

    Thats a really good point I was talking with a 20 or so of my non-beer nerd friends about. Seems everyone opening a brewery these days has some sort of cause. It makes people feel all warm and cuddly to give back whilst drinking. For me, things like Finnegan’s where they have quite good beer and give away every cent. That’s where I’d buy their stuff over Smithwicks or the lot. I give away all our profits at our local home brew competition (2nd biggest in nation) to them. However, after that, its pick your poison.

    What about mediocre/bad beer? When does the cause outweigh the product? How much return on your investment, so to speak, is one willing to give up? I got their input and I’ll share it after we chat a bit.

  6. Ben says:

    People are willing to pay a significant price for things that make them feel better about themselves. Many seem to be more than willing to buy a product they like less if it comes with the added perceived value that you’re doing something for a good cause.

    Why does that added value have to be in the form of giving something to a charitable cause? Would it make a difference if say Schell’s regularly pointed out that buying their product supports jobs in the community?

    In many cases it seems people follow these “greener” ideas a bit blindly without thinking about the big picture. Buy New Belgium beers because they use wind power without considering the diesel semis and rail cars used to get the product here vs. the shorter shipping distances traveled by drinking beer from a local brewery.

    Finnegan’s is a rarity in that it’s the only brewery in the world that gives every penny to charity. Like the Newman’s Own of the beer world.

    I think it’s great if the products you already enjoy come with an added bonus like donating to a charity, etc but I’m not so sure about switching based solely on that fact.

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