Cyclists and runners raise money while enjoying local beers Tour De Brewers 9: Oktoberfest

As 11 a.m. approached on Saturday, Oct. 8, the street outside Tin Roof quickly became inaccessible and crowded with runners and cyclists waiting to start their brewery tour of the city. Approximately 400 participants rolled out onto 7th Avenue S. and began their three-hour journey through downtown Birmingham.

While there was no official route, Cahaba Brewing Company was the first stop for many. From there, participants scattered to visit Avondale Brewing Company, Good People Brewing Company, Trim Tab Brewing Company and Hop City Beer & Wine, who featured craft brews from Yellowhammer Brewing in Huntsville, Ghost Train Brewing Co. and Red Hills Brewing Company.

By 2pm, cyclists and runner began rolling back into Tin Roof to await the announcement of door prizes. Among some of the many donated gifts were a Bud Light charcoal grill, swag bags from local breweries, gift certificates from Mugshots and Cahaba Cycles, t shirts and many others. Local band OutShine topped off the afternoon and provided the crowd with live music to drink and dance to.

By the end of the day, the event, organized by Big Benefit Run & Ride, had raised $4,000 for The Dannon Project. The local non-profit, according to their mission, works to provide resources "to assist in the development of healthy communities and lifestyles, thereby, preventing violence and other at-risk behaviors that lead to unemployment, disease, incarceration and re-incarceration, premature death and generational cycles of poverty and economic exclusion."

The next Tour de Brewers will be held mid-March 2017.

For more information about Big Benefit Run & Ride, click here.

For more information about The Dannon Project, click here.