‘Beaver Brew’ Beer Created To Help Support Bemidji State Athletics

Bemidji State University Athletics has a new way to support Beaver athletes with the creation of the new “Beaver Brew” beer available for sale around Bemidji.

Now, alongside the average Blue Moons and Bud Lights, a new tap handle can be seen around Bemidji sporting Bucky the Beaver’s face.

“It’s here to stay,” said 2013 BSU alum David Boehm, who created the beer. “We are in, I believe, 14 local restaurants and bars as we speak. We’re in six liquor stores as well. And keep in mind, for every beer [sold] we are giving a dollar back to Bemidji State Athletics, so the more, the merrier for everyone.”

Along with local bars and liquor stores, Beaver Brew will also be available at the Sanford Center for Bemidji State hockey games and at Chet Anderson Stadium for all football games.

“Anything that’s sold in the community goes back to BSU athletics as a whole,” explained Bemidji State University Director of Athletics Britt Lauritsen. “So that can be anything from facility updates to operational needs, student-athlete scholarship[s], Alston funds. Really, it’s a catch-all to utilize and build a base to help propel us into the next five to 10 years.”

The beverage was created by the athletics department along with Boehm, who owns Southern Fresh Farms Co. in Florida and describes the flavor as a unique middle ground between a Kona Big Wave and a light beer. The BSU beer itself is being brewed by Jack Pine Brewery in Baxter to keep it local.

“I think the key to being and staying relevant in college athletics is finding partnerships in places that you wouldn’t normally look,” said Lauritsen. “And so this is a perfect example of being able to take the time, the talent, the treasure of our alumni base and say, ‘What can we do with that? What feels meaningful?'”

“I mean, I’d be lying if I didn’t say it was super fun,” Boehm added. “But it’s also humbling as well. This has been—you know, it’s not something that happens overnight. But when you go back to the core of it, it’s going to support what has helped me get to where I am today.”