Organized by Hop Union and Loftus Hop Ranches, Ales for ALS is a project that raises funds for ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis aka Lou Gehrig’s Disease) by donating a proprietary blend of hops to brewers in exchange for a portion of the proceeds from their brewery’s Ales for ALS beer. Over 50 breweries are participating in this year’s Ales for ALS and the only thing the beers have in common is the special blend of hops created by Loftus Hop Ranches and Hop Union. All the profits from Cigar City Brewing’s Ales for ALS will go directly to fund research to find a cure for ALS.

This year Cigar City Brewing is bending the rules a bit and brewing a Lager for ALS, specifically a Maibock. Traditional in Germany during the warmer months, the bready malt character of the style is complimented perfectly by this year’s Ales for ALS hop blend that adds notes of mango, kiwi and honeydew melon.