Local breweries team up with American Cancer Society to promote men's health

MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- 

Eight local breweries are teaming up with the American Cancer Society in Mishawaka to promote men's health through a new awareness initiative. 

The American Cancer society created the initiative, called Ale to the Beard, raise money for research and local programs. Most importantly though, staff says they hope to raise awareness and encourage more men to get health screenings.

"The key for this is early detection, prevention and treatment." said Susan Van Dusan, senior coordinator with the American Cancer Society in Mishawaka. "We want to increase the survivor rate."

Van Dusan says one in two men will develop cancer in their lifetime. Plus she says it's much less common for men to go to the doctor than women. 

"Our men are very important to us and they don't take the time to develop their own health and go to the doctor," said Janet Wartman, senior community develop manager at the American Cancer Society. "Little symptoms will come up and they'll say 'it's nothing' until it's something big, and that's what we want to prevent."

The awareness initiative will last through the month of November. During that time each participating brewery will select a craft beer to highlight and donate a portion of the proceeds to the American Cancer Society. That money will go back to help men in the local community. 

"We're going to invest it in research and we're going to invest it in standing programs that we already have here such as Road to Recovery, which allows free transportation back and forth to treatment for patients," said Van Dusan. 

Evil Czech Brewery is participating in the initiative. Staff says they want to help bring awareness to the issue and help the community. 

"Any time we can help the local community we want to," said Drew Sachau, corporate chef at Evil Czech Brewery. "We really felt that this was a worthy cause to get behind."

Sachau says Evil Czech Brewery will donate 10 percent of all sales of it's Nefarious Harbor New England Coast IPA to the American Cancer Society. Each brewery is hoping to raise at least $1000. 

Other breweries participating include Bare Hands Brewery, South Haven Brewpub, Iechyd Da Brewing Company, South Bend Brew Werks, Four Fathers Brewing, Paw Paw Brewing Company and Three Blondes Brewing. 

"Every brewery will have information out and what beer you can purchase there and the proceeds that come back to the American Cancer Society," said Van Dusan. 

There will also be a beard competition at the South Haven Brewpub. Men who would like to participate can register at the brewery.