In honor of World AIDS Day, Hillcrest Brewing Company debuts Red Ribbon Ale when they open at 3 p.m. Proceeds from sale of the beer at all MO’s Universe locations, including Hillcrest Brewing, Gossip Grill, Baja Betty’s and MO’s Bar & Grill, benefit The Scripps Research Institute’s HIV/AIDS research.
This batch holds a special place in the heart of brewmaster Austin Copeland, whose dad died of AIDS in 1991. “My father, Steven Carey, owned a popular salon downtown in the 80’s and 90’s named Checkers,” he recalls. “It was cool having a gay dad, I guess my life was bit like The Birdcage. He died of AIDS in 1991 when I was very young. I remember getting picked on and made fun of about it.”
Red Ribbon Ale is a 4.5% ABV session red IPA with Mosaic, Simcoe and Amarillo hops. The grain bill includes Munich malt and caramel wheat.
“For anyone that remembers the height of the AIDS scare, it was a terrible thing that affected tons of people and their loved ones,” said Copeland. “I wanted to do something in my position as a brewer to help the next generation and make sure it doesn’t affect them like it did me.”