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hen we think of the words “Brew House,” it probably brings up aromas and flavors of fresh or roasted grains, floral hops, malty wort and crisp, cold beer straight from the tap. It’s the craft beer lover’s comfort: there’s no place like home. February 2018 brings a new kind of “Brew House” to Albuquerque, and we all can join the effort. Breweries in Albuquerque are teaming up with Habitat for Humanity’s greater Albuquerque affiliate to sponsor the international organization’s next house. Breweries participating include: Boxing Bear, Dialogue, 377, Steel Bender, Quarter Celtic, Boese Brothers, Canteen, Rio Bravo, and Bosque. “The Greater Albuquerque Habitat for Humanity builds homes for low income families in Albuquerque, and we make it affordable so low income families can purchase their homes,” according to Beth Goldman, director of resource development. “[The families] who help build their homes are considered low income by HUD, making between 30-60% of the average income of a family of their size.” Each home costs a total of $110,000 and requires a down payment of $500 with no Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) and a mortgage with 0% interest. The houses built by Habitat for Humanity are built entirely by volunteers and the homeowner family, but it’s not just about building houses, Beth explained. “It’s making home ownership possible for people who could never otherwise afford a mortgage,” she said. “We also teach about financial literacy and all the skills of home ownership so they are successful, they don’t default on their loans, and they stay in their houses.” The international organization of Habitat for Humanity has been around since 1976, and the Greater Albuquerque Habitat for Humanity affiliate has been building houses since 1987. Since its inception, the affiliate and its volunteers have built 185 homes for families in our community. This is Albuquerque’s first Brew House, though other Brew Houses have been sponsored by communities in Colorado and Texas. “We have awesome breweries in Albuquerque,” Beth said. “We 13
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would like to do [a brew house] every year if their support is there; at least every other year. We are always building. There is always a need, so our build schedule is going on into 2019.” The beer community can get involved with this project in many different ways. A few opportunities are offered Giving Tuesday, November 28, 2017, an international day of philanthropy. “It’s the Tuesday after Black Friday, and is a response to all the commercialism of Thanksgiving,” Beth explained. “It’s giving back. On Giving Tuesday, we are doing events in different breweries at the same time.” On Giving Tuesday, a special collaborative beer will be available in participating breweries (listed below) and part of the beer proceeds will be gifted to the Brew House. Bosque Brewery is brewing its own special brew for the Brew House to be released on Giving Tuesday as well. Additionally, five local breweries are participating in a Brew House Beer Passport, which costs $10 and gives the passport holder $1 off beers at participating breweries. In the next several months, as the building process begins, the beer community (brewers, staff, and beer drinkers) will be involved in the Brew House in other ways, including providing meals for