Courtesy Common Roots Foundation
By Rod Bacon
The Weber family has always believed in giving back to the community in which they live and work. In 2020 they implemented this ethos in a significant way when triumph rose out of ashes.
In December 2014 the family, led by the father-and-son team of Bert and Christian Weber, launched Common Roots Brewing Company in South Glens Falls. The business was thriving when the building suffered a devastating fire in 2019. Fortunately, no one was injured but the building was a total loss.
“When we started Common Roots, we had the idea that brewing beer could also be a vehicle for positive change,” said Bert Weber, president of the Common Roots Foundation Board of Directors. “Eleven years later we are proud to have supported, and continue to support, our neighbors dedicated to improving the lives of those around them. At a time when so many people are struggling, these organizations are putting in the hard work, driven by compassion, and making a difference throughout the region.”
Community support for the Webers after the fire came in the form of Rally for the Roots events in the Glens Falls area as well one dubbed Rising from the Ashes in Clifton Park where over 25 New York State breweries participated. A group called Friends of Common Roots started a GoFundMe campaign called Common Roots Brewing Company Fire Recovery that raised over $40,000. There was an event with music at the Queensbury Hotel, another at the Tack House in Troy, and others at various bars and breweries in Albany. Checks arrived from bars and breweries as far away as Colorado and Oregon.
According to him, there are several pillars upon which the Foundation rests. One is to be good stewards of the environment. Support has been provided to Saratoga PLAN for trail work, the Lake George Association for environmental initiatives, and Friends of Crandall Park for improvements.
Another pillar is helping people or communities in crisis. Weber cited examples of a family who might have had a house fire, a teacher battling cancer and needing treatment, or a business facing financial difficulties. He noted that the rate of poverty in some local towns means children might not have proper nutrition at lunch or dinner, and the Foundation can help rectify that.
Promoting healthy lifestyles is also part of their agenda. Gears and Beers, a group that meets Wednesday evenings from May to October, attracts 80 to 100 cyclists who start a ride at the brewery and end there to enjoy pizza and craft brews. A portion of every beer purchased is put into the Foundation.
In January, cyclists can also peddle for two hours at Kind Cycling Studio in Glens Falls and have sponsors contribute to their efforts, which in turn supports the Foundation.
“The owner, Rachel Meacher, came to us with the idea and we’re very thankful for this relationship,” said Weber. “It’s one of our biggest fundraisers.”
There is also the River Run for the Roots, a 5k run/walk along the Hudson River that starts and ends at the brewery. Weber estimated the event raises $6,000-$7,000 each year.
Another popular fundraiser is the Beat the Brewers disc golf challenge held in October at the Crandall Park Disc Golf Course. There are a variety of challenges and the Common Roots beer truck is there serving libations and cooking up snacks.
The Foundation has two Legacy donors that contribute significantly to its efforts. One is Boralex, an international company specializing in energy solutions that include wind, solar, hydro, and battery storage. Based in Belgium, they have a local office and two of their employees serve on the Foundation’s board of directors. They have committed to donating $10,000 per year for 10 years.
The other Legacy donor is The Devlin, a hotel in Lake Placid.
Grants from the Foundation are awarded in three categories: Community Wellness, Environmental Stewardship, and Assisting in Times of Need. Requests are reviewed and grants awarded twice a year. The deadline for applying for the Spring cycle is May 1 and for the Fall cycle November 1. Organizations can apply for up to $2,500 for projects that fall within the parameters of the three categories. There are also micro-donations of less than $250 as well as donations of beer or gift baskets.
Funds are disbursed on or around June 1 and December 1. The fall grants, totaling nearly $26,000, were announced recently. This brings the amount distributed since the Foundation was established to $263,000.
Of 38 applications, the awardees include: Corinth Aims to Reach Everyone, INC (CARE) for a winter gear drive; Lower Adirondack Pride to create a communication guide; North Country Ministry to feed 100 families for two weeks; Regional Food Bank for a drive-through Thanksgiving giveaway; Food Pantries for the Capital District for food delivery; CAPTAIN Community Human Services for a runaway youth shelter; Equinox for a domestic violence outreach program; Friends of Fort Hardy Park for an event on wild roots; Warren Washington CARE for emergency assistance for abused children; World Awareness Children’s Museum for cultural programming; Southern ADK Health Initiative for medical, dental, and vision popup clinics.
Leadership of the Foundation is a family effort. Bert Weber is president; his son, Christian, is vice president; his wife, Robin, is treasurer; and his daughter-in-law, Melanie, is a board member.
For more information about Common Roots Brewing Company go to commonrootsbrewing.com. For information on joining the Foundation or submitting an application go to https://commonrootsbrewing.com/Foundation/.