A Vote for Racer 5 is a Vote for Education

March Madness is not the only bracket in town. Draft Magazine’s 2012 Beer Bracket got underway earlier last week and now the Bear Republic's flagship brew, Racer 5, is in the second round the final round on Tuesday, March 27. Our local brewery was selected among the 64 top beers from across the country, and with your help – and your vote – it's made it into the "sweet sixteen"! It's chances now are even better to win $1,000 for education.

is asking Healdsburg’s beer-lovers to accelerate Racer 5 IPA into the winners circle. According to Draft Magazine, “Your beer is delicious, but the only thing that counts here is getting the most votes so get your fans to weigh in and help their favorite bring home the championship.”

The $1,000 isn’t just beer money. It goes to support the charity that the contending brewery selects, and the Bear has selected the Healdsburg Education Foundation. They stand to receive a $1,000 donation from Draft Magazine to help support their efforts to underwrite key education programs in district schools that the budgets can’t find room for.

“One of the things that $1,000 could be used for,” said “is to buy two laptops for the junior or senior high. That could be key. Right now there’s only one to every 10 students, and we’ve got to bridge the digital divide not only in our schools but in our community.”

Swan pointed out that the Kiwanas Club has a $10,000 matching grant on the table for HEF, and noted that a $1,000 from the Draft Magazine beer bracket would go a long way toward matching that grant.

So think about it. Voting for Racer 5 IPA not only helps support the Healdsburg Education Foundation, but each vote earns an entry to win a Beer Meister Kegerator.  And it’s a vote of support for Healdsburg’s premium brewery.

Voting is unlimited, so take a minute (or two) today (and tomorrow) to support a wonderful charity! Click here to fill out your bracket before end of day Sunday so the Bear Republic can stay in the race.