Griffin Claw Brewing CFO raises Down syndrome awareness via TRI-21 Project

For the fourth year running, Mich.-based Griffin Claw Brewing Co. is honoring World Down Syndrome Month with a special release and calling on breweries worldwide to help raise awareness and funds to support individuals impacted by Down syndrome via the TRI-21 Project.

Launching in October and continuing through World Down Syndrome Day (March 21), the TRI-21 Project was started by Griffin Claw CFO Pat Craddock in 2021. In 2015, Craddock’s son, Ian, was born with Down syndrome. Unsure of what the future held, the family connected with GiGi’s Playhouse, a Midwest-based nonprofit that provides programming and support for thousands of people with Down syndrome and their families.

“It was a crucial support network for Ian, our son Keegan, my wife and myself,” Craddock said.

With TRI-21, Craddock has found a meaningful way to give back to the organization that helped his family so much. The initiative invites breweries to craft a beer using an open-source, flexible recipe and customizable label artwork, with a portion of proceeds donated to GiGi’s Playhouse. These funds can either support a local GiGi’s Playhouse (there are 60 branches in the U.S. and Mexico) or the organization’s virtual program for areas without a brick-and-mortar location.

In previous years, participating breweries have created unique variations of the beer recipe offered by Griffin Claw Brewing Company, such as crafting a West Coast IPA instead of a New England IPA. This year, the open-source recipe provided by Griffin Claw Brewing Company is a West Coast Pilsner.

This year, Griffin Claw is releasing its TRI-21 West Coast Style Pilsner at both its Birmingham and Rochester Hills locations. In conjunction with their beer releases, breweries are also encouraged to host events and fundraisers to further amplify awareness and support for GiGi’s Playhouse.

For information on how to support the TRI-21 Project, visit www.tri21project.com. The site includes the recipe for the TRI-21 beer, links for discounted ingredients, label artwork and more.

Since the inception of TRI-21, Griffin Claw Brewing Company has donated more than $20,000 to the GiGi’s Playhouse location in Southfield. Breweries from around the globe have participated, including those in the U.S., Mexico, France, Brazil and more.

“From the first days after my son was born, I wondered how I could tap into this incredible industry filled with awesome people to raise awareness for Down syndrome,” Craddock said. “Thanks to the hard work and support of participating sponsors, we’ve launched this project, and knowing the bond the brewing community shares, we look forward to the impact this will have.”

“In the same way that GiGi’s Playhouse is a center of support and comfort for families of individuals with Down syndrome, Griffin Claw Brewing Company has become a place that has welcomed and embraced us,” said Kathleen Tynes, program coordinator at GiGi’s Playhouse Detroit. “The donation we receive each year from the TRI-21 project allows us to continue offering no-cost programs and resources for our families, including speech therapy, fitness and physical therapy-based programs, culinary classes, and many other opportunities to help individuals with Down syndrome grow.”