Driftless Drummer | Wet Hop IPA
A collaboration beer with Ruffed Grouse Society Driftless Chapter
Somewhere in the Driftless Area, a ruffed grouse is currently exploding out of the woods like a feathery confetti cannon, startling an unsuspecting hiker into a spiritual awakening.
We love that for it.
The sale of this beer supports conservation projects across the Driftless area, including the implementation of a ruffed grouse conservation plan on the Whitewater Wildlife Management Area. Volunteers with the Driftless Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society are helping create healthier forests, healthier wildlife populations, and generally more excellent woodland weirdness.
DRINK BEER. SAVE GROUSE. EMBRACE CHAOS.
Read more about the flavor profile of Driftless Drummer here.
Wait. What's a Ruffed Grouse?
Imagine if a chicken got a wilderness degree, developed anxiety, and mastered teleportation.
That's a ruffed grouse.
They thrive in young, diverse forests filled with a mix of tree ages, native plants, insects, songbirds, pollinators, deer, turkey, and countless other species.
When grouse habitat is healthy, lots of other wildlife benefits too.
Because biodiversity is basically nature's version of a blockbuster ensemble cast.
Why The Driftless Area Is Ridiculously Cool?
The Driftless Area somehow avoided being flattened by the last glaciers.
Instead of endless flat ground, we got:
• Deep valleys
• Hidden trout streams
• Forested ridges
• Limestone bluffs
• Wildlife diversity that would make a Pokémon collector emotional
Scientists call this ecological diversity. We call it showing off.
What Your Beer Is Funding?
Your pint helps support real conservation work including:
• Forest habitat restoration
• Wildlife management projects
• Improving habitat for ruffed grouse and countless other species
• Volunteer stewardship projects on Whitewater Wildlife Management Area
• Long-term conservation planning in the Driftless Area
In other words:
You're not just drinking beer.
You're financing ecological shenanigans
Does Better Habitat Make Better Beer?
Scientists have not officially confirmed this.
However:
Healthy forests filter water.
Beer is mostly water.
Therefore healthy forests are at least 87% responsible for good beer.
This math has not been peer reviewed, but it feels correct.
Conservation Is For Everyone
Hunters.
Bird nerds.
Hikers.
Foragers.
Fly fishers.
People who can identify 43 species of warblers by sound.
People who think every bird is either "duck" or "not duck."
Everyone benefits from healthy habitat.
Nature does not require a membership card.
A Message From RuPaul
RuPaul never actually said this, but spiritually speaking:
"If you can't love the habitat in your own back yard, then who the hell will?” Can I get an amen?
Fun Grouse Facts
• Male ruffed grouse create a famous
"drumming" sound with their
wings to attract mates.
• They do not hit drums.
• This is still called drumming.
• Grouse can spend winter nights
buried in snowbanks like tiny feathery survival experts.
• Every year thousands of Midwesterners voluntarily become obsessed with finding them.
• The grouse remain deeply unimpressed.
Join the Movement
Cheers to birds, beer, forests, trout streams, and delightfully unnecessary levels of enthusiasm about native ecosystems.
Drink local.
Protect habitat.
Celebrate biodiversity.
Support conservation.
Join the Driftless Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society.
And remember:
Every pint helps create more places for wildlife to thrive and more opportunities for future generations to experience the beautiful, weird, wild Driftless Area.
