Brewing for a cause
Schell’s pilot program supports NUMAS Haus
Members of the Concord Singers raise a toast to fellow singer Henry Bode and the release of “Henry’s Hops,” a new pilot beer brewed by August Schell Brewing Company. Proceeds from the project supported a $4,000 donation to NUMAS Haus. Photo by Amy Zents
August Schell Brewing Co. brewer Jordan Walls and Henry Bode celebrate the release of “Henry’s Hops,” a pilot beer made with Chinook hops grown on the brewery grounds and Jordan's own personal harvest. The brew honors Bode’s contributions as the brewery’s groundskeeper. Photo by Amy Zents
Members of the Concord Singers raise a toast to fellow singer Henry Bode and the release of “Henry’s Hops,” a new pilot beer brewed by August Schell Brewing Company. Proceeds from the project supported a $4,000 donation to NUMAS Haus. Photo by Amy Zents
August Schell Brewing Co. brewer Jordan Walls and Henry Bode celebrate the release of “Henry’s Hops,” a pilot beer made with Chinook hops grown on the brewery grounds and Jordan's own personal harvest. The brew honors Bode’s contributions as the brewery’s groundskeeper. Photo by Amy Zents
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At August Schell Brewing Company, the spirit of collaboration is proving to be as potent as the beer itself.
During a recent release event for the brewery's latest pilot project, “Henry's Hops,” the focus shifted from the taproom to the community, as the brewery presented a $4,000 donation to the NUMAS Haus, a local organization dedicated to supporting women and children in crisis.
The donation was the result of a collaborative effort by “Team Nevertheless,” a group of approximately 20 women brewers from across Minnesota.
When a brewery is selected for this initiative, the chosen brewer takes the lead on recipe development, and the proceeds are directed toward a women-focused charity.
Jordan Walls, the lead brewer for this project, selected the NUMAS Haus to receive the funds, citing the critical need for safe, secure support systems for women in the community.
“We're just incredibly grateful to Jordan for choosing us, and to everybody here at Schell's for extending a helping hand to the women in our community that need assistance,” Lorna Cotner, office coordinator at NUMAS Haus, said.
The NUMAS Haus, operated by the New Ulm Ministerial Association, provides a 90-day program where residents receive individualized case plans and one-on-one support.
Supported by local donations, churches, and service clubs, the organization has served 88 women and 92 children as of February 2024, with nearly 70 percent of residents successfully transitioning into permanent housing.
With November designated as Homelessness Awareness Month, the timing of the donation highlights the ongoing need for community support.
The beer, Henry's Hops,” represents a unique intersection of brewing science and local gardening. The beer is a pilot project, a small-batch series designed to give junior brewers like Walls the autonomy to experiment with recipes outside the constraints of the main brewhouse's 300-keg production scale.
This year's brew was a tribute to master gardener Henry Bode, who has managed the brewery's grounds for over four years.
For years, Bode had encouraged Walls to utilize the hops growing on the brewery grounds. While Walls initially relied on standardized hop pellets with precise data sheets, she eventually embraced the challenge of using whole, garden-grown Chinook hops.
The result was a collaborative effort spanning two years, with the hops harvested directly from the brewery's front garden and Walls' personal harvest.
Adding to the beer’s distinct profile is the inclusion of fonio, a West African crabgrass. This ancient grain adds a subtle sweetness to the brew, setting it apart from previous pilot releases.
The pilot program is a cornerstone of the brewery's mentorship philosophy. Dave Berg, the head brewer at August Schell Brewing Co., emphasized that the goal is to foster individual identity among his staff.
“I want them when I’m gone to be their own people,” Berg said. “I don’t want them to be mini-me. I want them to develop their own style.”
Berg, who has been with Schell's for over two decades, said that this culture of trust and high standards is essential.
He recalled Walls' work ethic on her second day, when a yeast spill occurred. Rather than walking away, Walls insisted on cleaning the spill before changing her clothes. “If you have somebody who does that, you train them,” Berg said.
As the brewery continues its pilot series, the success of “Henry's Hops” serves as a reminder that the best results often come from collaboration, whether it's between a brewer and a gardener, or a business and its community.
Community members can learn more about the NUMAS Haus or donate online at numashaus.org. Schell's has two upcoming public events scheduled in November: Into The Depths Tours on Nov. 19 and Next Stop Comedy at the Bierhalle on Nov. 21. Both events will be held at 1860 Schell Road.