Confluence's charity tap handle installed at Butcher's Bistro

In many checkout situations today, I find that I’m asked if I’d like to donate $1 or $5 to this or that cause. It’s a small thing that’s easy to say yes to and that really starts to add up for the charities involved. What if this process could be even easier, didn’t even really cost you an extra $1 and got you a beer to enjoy on top of it? Yea, OK, that’s even better.

We’ve written about the Confluence Tap Handle program before, but it doesn’t stop being cool. Butcher’s Bistro in Denver is the latest establishment to partner with Confluence and will donate $1 to Veterans to Farmers for every pint of Factotum Brewhouse’s Intensity Break Coffee Brown Ale that is poured from the Confluence Tap Handle.

Confluence is a corporate social responsibility firm that helps further the community engagement practices of restaurants and craft beverage makers. Confluence’s vision is to have an identifiable brand where customers who see the Confluence Tap Handle will know that a portion of sales always goes to charity and that a different craft beverage will be served each month.

“Working with local nonprofit organizations allows us to say thank you to our community and the people who work hard,” said Butcher’s Bistro Bartender Andrew Howe. “It also allows us to accomplish our goals as a local restaurant and be a proud supporter of the Colorado economy.”

Factotum co-owner Laura Bruns shared she and her brother were raised in a small community that gave them an understanding of the importance and responsibility that local businesses have in supporting area non-profits, schools and neighbors, both in times of need and in times of celebration. Factotum further demonstrates this community support as it provides a stage for guest brewers of all levels of experience.

“Anyone can brew. All it takes is the right amount of guidance and knowledge,” said Bruns.

Butcher’s Bistro selected one of its favorite charities, Veterans to Farmers, to be the beneficiary of the month-long program. Veterans to Farmers provides American veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts with pride, education and fulfillment through a permanent source of sustainable income, community and contribution. Veterans to Farmers ensures a path to a secure economic future that also leads to a sustainable future of food. The charity helps veterans attain this through management in an up-and-coming greenhouse franchise that sells CSA shares year-round, employment opportunities with greenhouses selling food to restaurants and grocery stores, or providing further education and support to help veterans start their own greenhouse business.

A launch party will occur on Wednesday, March 2, from 6-8 p.m. to celebrate the installation of the Confluence Tap Handle at Butcher’s Bistro.

Head here if you’d like to learn more about the Confluence Tap Handle and the participating organizations.