Peabody Brewery To Offer 'Kölsch 988' For National Suicide Prevention Week

PEABODY, MA — The owners of Peabody's Granite Coast Brewing are renaming the company beer "Kölsch 988" in honor of "someone that all of our staff care about" during the upcoming National Suicide Prevention Week.

Then owners said they made the decision to initiate vital conversations and raise awareness about suicide prevention. National Suicide Prevention Week runs from Sept. 10 through Sept. 16 and is designed to educate the public about suicide prevention and address the alarming rise in suicide rates.

"We wanted to support raising awareness any way we can," said Owner/Head Brewer Jeff Marquis said. "This is one small thing we can do."

Crisis resources will be available at the brewery on Main Street all that week as well, starting at the International Fest on Sunday.

The campaign consists of brewers nationwide naming or renaming a beer to include "988" — the national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — with the goal for people to notice the number on the can or menu and feel compelled to ask questions, sparking meaningful conversation and raising awareness.

O.H.S.O. Brewery in Phoenix inspired the "988" renaming in 2017, and the concept has gained significant traction nationwide ever since.

Granite Coast Brewing is one of two Massachusetts breweries participating in the campaign this year.

The "988" Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers free and confidential emotional support 24/7 to those in suicidal crisis or emotional distress in the United States. The Lifeline provides essential resources to families and friends, empowering them to play an active role in preventing suicide.

Go here to learn more about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)