Castle Danger Brewery is kicking off its 2026 Pints for a Cause series with a fundraiser close to home and close to the heart as Brimson Strong Community Support & Recovery takes center stage this Friday, January 23.
The Two Harbors brewery announced six nonprofit partners for the year, continuing a program that pairs limited-release beer with local organizations doing meaningful work across the North Shore.
After Brimson Strong, the lineup includes the Two Harbors Area Food Shelf on March 27, the Human Development Center on May 22, the Two Harbors Area Fund on July 17, Wildwoods on September 25, and Community Partners on November 27.
Pints for a Cause has become one of Castle Danger’s most familiar community traditions, bringing people together for an evening that blends craft beer with local connection and support.
Brimson Strong was formed in the aftermath of last May’s wildfire, which tore through parts of the Brimson area and upended lives in a matter of hours. Founder Mikala Schliep told Fox 21 News that she barely escaped the fire herself and watched her neighbor’s home burn. Feeling fortunate to still have a house, she began looking for ways to help others facing similar losses.
Since then, Brimson Strong has raised about $25,000, coordinated volunteers for cleanup and rebuilding efforts, and helped distribute donated household items. Even so, recovery remains a long and expensive process. Many residents are still facing costs tied to septic systems, tree removal, and long-term rebuilding.
Castle Danger partnered with Brimson Strong for a fundraiser last year, and this month’s event marks another special collaboration. The evening will feature a special beer release brewed specifically for the occasion. Heavy Cream Ale, a fuller-bodied cream ale with a higher alcohol content, will be available on tap, along with the debut of Ashes to Ale, brewed as a tribute to the community’s resilience and recovery.
Live music will be provided by the Northeast Timberland Band from 6 to 8 p.m., with food available from The Rainy Rose food truck. Guests who donate $5 or more to Brimson Strong during the event will receive a buy-one, get-one pint card, limited to one per person.
Castle Danger Sales and Marketing Coordinator Lacey Fischer said the brewery is hoping for a strong turnout despite the cold, with the goal of raising meaningful support for Brimson neighbors still navigating the long road back.
For attendees, the night offers more than good beer and live music. It’s a chance to show up for a community that continues to rebuild, one step at a time.
To donate to Brimson Strong, reach out to the Brimson Strong Community Support & Recovery Facebook page or scan the QR code located on page 3 in this edition of the Northshore Journal.
