WATERBURY, Vt. -
Tropical Storm Irene wreaked havoc on Vermont with high winds and flooding waters a year ago Tuesday.
After a storm where teamwork was important to rebuilding The Alchemist Cannery collaborated with Stone Brewery in California and Ninkasi Brewery in Oregon to create the "More Brown than Black IPA."
"We were just blown away by the generosity of a brewery across the country," Alchemist owner John Kimmick said.
Blown away because all profits from the beer were dedicated to charities helping Waterbury get back on its feet. $30,000 given to the Waterbury Good Neighbor Fund.
"Which blew my mind," Kimmick said.
"I had no idea we were going to raise that much money. Then I come to find out that was just a drop in the bucket."
Because more than $86,000 was given to ReBuild Waterbury.
Raising the money was quite a feat for the cannery but it's nothing like the challenge ahead for ReBuild Waterbury which repairs and homes damaged during Irene.
"We can help them get back on their feet into safe and decent housing then they can go on with the rest of their lives," Construction Manager Dave Kerr said.
ReBuild Waterbury is helping 37 people reach that goal right now. A tough task when dollars are spread thin.
"Having a huge donation like that here at the end is really going help us put us over the top," Kerr said.
From the makers of the popular local brew Heady Topper a fresh batch of hope for people who had little left to drink to.
