Georgetown Brewing and Ian Furness release The Mayor IPA today at the brewery’s taproom in Seattle
Today marks the release of The Mayor IPA at Georgetown Brewing, which has become an annual event. For the fifth year, all of the proceeds from The Mayor IPA benefit some important non-profit organizations. Not just a portion of the proceeds, but Georgetown Brewing generously donates ALL proceeds, every dime, to the causes. The fundraising effort is spearheaded by Ian Furness, who you might recognize from Sports Radio 93.3 KJR and FOX 13 TV.
Ian and the crew from KJR will broadcast live from the Georgetown Brewing taproom in Seattle on Friday, August 23rd from noon until 3:00. Thereafter, you might find Ian hanging out and enjoying a beer. (And me too. Come say hello.)
The Mayor IPA is an award-winning beer (Washinton Beer Awards bronze medal). It is described as bright golden and unfiltered with flavors and aromas of fresh-cut oranges, pineapple, lime, and papaya from the Columbus, Citra, Mosaic, and Simcoe hops. Beyond the taste, The Mayor IPA is really about the organizations it supports and the story of how it came into existence.
“My dad was a TV anchor at KOMO. I was one of five kids. We were truly a middle-class family, but we had enough,” Ian said. “He told us that if we have a platform or a way to help, then we need to use it, which he did. The Mayor charity stuff started after I met Manny and the Georgetown crew when I emceed a Bob’s Brown Ale event. They inspired me.”
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
That inspiration, combined with his dad’s wisdom, led to the creation of a fundraising golf tournament and eventually The Mayor IPA, a beer designed to raise funds for three non-profit organizations. The Avery Huffman DIPG Foundation is dedicated and committed to finding a cure for the deadliest form of brain cancer in children: Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG). Hilinski’s Hope Foundation was formed to promote awareness and education about mental health and wellness for student-athletes. The mission of the Jordan Morris Foundation is to educate, inspire, and support children living with type 1 diabetes.
Ian has a personal connection to all three organizations. He and his crew also organize and host an annual golf tournament to further the support. The Mayor IPA was born out of the pandemic when the tournament was canceled and Georgetown Brewing hatched the idea for the beer.
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
“All three foundations started small and for them, every single dollar makes a difference,” Ian said. “I know what a difference the Jordan Morris Foundation makes for kids with type 1 diabetes because he helped my son. Avery Huffman is the daughter of a good friend who started as a radio guest and our friendship grew over the last 20 years. To donate in Avery’s name is very important to me.”
“When I met the Hilinski family, Kym Hilinski challenged me to make a difference in mental health awareness. While I was doing a TV news story! Challenge accepted! Kym and her husband Mark have become close to me and my family, especially my college student-athlete son. So, I have a personal connection to all three foundations and with those relationships, the beer and golf fundraising is more than just making money.”
Everyone is welcome to join Ian Furness and the brewery team on Friday, August 23rd when Georgetown Brewing releases the beer at its taproom in Seattle. It’s available on draft at the Georgetown taproom and to go in growlers. Following the release, look for the beer on tap around the Seattle area. You’ll be certain to find it at the Georgetown Brewing taproom while supplies last.
