Sales of Limited Edition Ommegang Ale Will Benefit Local Shelter

By DARLA M. YOUNGS
COOPERSTOWN

From now until supplies run out, both beer and animal aficionados can support the Susquehanna Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals when they purchase “MoJo’s Best,” an experimental beer produced by Brewery Ommegang.

MoJo’s Best comes as a result of the SQSPCA’s “Fur-tual Reality Dog Show,” sponsored by Clutter and Preferred Mutual. Online voting from August 19 to September 25 allowed the public to choose their favorite from among 10 mostly canine entries, Jeremy the ram being the lone exception. Votes cost $1.00 each and, as per an agreement with Brewery Ommegang, the contestant receiving the most votes would have a limited-run beer named after them, with 10 percent of beer sales being donated to the SQSPCA.

MoJo, owned by Jane Forbes Clark, was the clear winner with 6,239 votes. Second place went to Jeremy the ram (owned by Stacie Haynes), with 4,088 votes, and Pearl (Ben Smith) came in third with 1,737 votes. Other contestants included Lexi (Elaine Bresee), Rome (Francesca Zambello), Bert (Linda Thayer), Louie (Patrick Franck), Lizzie (Barbara Healey), Jake (Tom Huntsman) and Beatrix (Tjibbe Lambers).

“Overall, the Fur-tual Reality Dog Show brought in 20,715 votes from 218 voters,” said SQSPCA Executive Director Stacie Haynes. “This was our first fundraiser of this kind, so we didn’t know what to expect. The $20,715.00 we raised was more than we could have hoped for and a great boon to our programs.

“Thank you so much to all who helped make this fundraiser a success—our contestants, our donors, our sponsors, Brewery Ommegang and especially SQSPCA board member Cory Moffat, for introducing the concept,” Haynes said.

The owners of each of the 10 dog show contestants submitted their pet’s backstory. MoJo’s began across the pond, in England.

“I’m British and I would like to tell you how I came to Cooperstown! I was very young when my first mum and I were at a horse competition at Hickstead, and we had a bit of strife in our relationship (she was angry at me for peeing in our cottage and had kicked me down the stairs),” MoJo’s tale began.

“We were in the stables with the British Team when I looked up and here came my life-saver. I just knew right away that I wanted her to be my lifetime mum!!” MoJo continued. “So I spent the next four days being as cute as I could possibly be and working on my very best come-hither look. It all began to finally work! My then-mum asked her if she’d like to adopt me, and the answer was YES! I was VERY excited, so I jumped in the car and sat on her lap and off we went, and the rest is history, as they say! I am so happy now, I feel so safe, and I absolutely love Cooperstown!”

According to Brewery Ommegang, MoJo’s Best—a New York-style pale ale—is spiced with grains of paradise and orange peel and contains both Citra and New York Centennial hops. English ale yeast was used to ferment the brew, and CaraRed malt provides a warm amber glow and a touch of added sweetness. The beer’s aroma is described as “zesty citrus with light malty tones.” The flavor profile is semi-dry with a medium-bodied mouthfeel; easy drinking, with the taste of orange blossom citrus. Pairing suggestions are light fare, such as grilled chicken, citrus salads, tangy cheeses or citrus tarts. “The perfect companion for your companion, MoJo’s Best,” according to Ommegang officials.

“What a great partnership with the SQSPCA. We were delighted to be part of the Fur-tual Reality Dog Show and to help raise money for animals in need,” wrote Joe Green, Ommegang’s quality control and innovation manager, in an e-mail. “When asked to provide a beer for this event, we thought it would be the perfect [time] to share a new pale ale that we were working on. At only 5.5% ABV, this pale ale is easy to get along with, just like man’s best friend! It has a warm amber glow from select malt, a dash of sweetness from grains of paradise and candied orange peel, and a bright citrus aroma from the fresh New York grown Centennial Hops. A perfect paring for any dog lover.”

“It’s delicious,” added Gary Buell, general manager of Ommegang’s Tap House. “I can’t wait for you to try it!”

MoJo’s Best is being sold at The Hawkeye Bar and Grill and at Brewery Ommegang until supplies run out. Both locations will be giving back 10 percent of their MoJo’s Best sales to the animal shelter.

The announcement about the limited run of MoJo’s Best comes at a time when the SQSPCA is ramping up its year-end fundraising.

Through Tuesday, December 31, shelter supporters Beth and Gary Glynn will donate an additional $5,000.00 to the SQSPCA for every $20,000.00 raised, up to $100,000.00. Contributions to the “Promise for Parkie” campaign can be made safely and securely online at www.sqspca.org/donate/, by mail, or in person.

“Our end-of-year fundraising has been instrumental in ensuring we can continue to provide quality, low-cost services to animals—and their humans—in need. We hope our supporters will give generously this holiday season, so that we can meet this extremely generous matching challenge,” Haynes said.

Adding to the excitement, along with the “Promise for Parkie” campaign the SQSPCA also launched its “Kennel-free Christmas” initiative on December 3. Anyone who adopts through December 31 will receive 25 percent off the adoption fee; other fees may apply.

The SQSPCA is located at 5082-5088 State Highway 28, just north of the Village of Cooperstown. The shelter is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments to meet animals are advised to avoid wait times by calling (607) 547-8111, but walk-ins are always welcome.