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PHOENIX — In collaboration with Borderlands, Wren House, and Crooked Tooth breweries, as well as the Western Rivers Brewers’ Council, ���Ϲ��� Arizona is pleased to announce the release of its first co-branded beer: The Rain Crow IPA. The initial release will occur at Phoenix’s on Saturday, July 28^th.

“All of us—people, birds, and beer—rely on healthy rivers,” said ���Ϲ��� Arizona’s Steve Prager. “That’s why craft brewers and the ���Ϲ��� are advocating across the Colorado River Basin for water policies that protect our water resources. I’m not sure there’s a better way to discuss it than over an ice-cold beer.”

Arizona relies on the Colorado River for about 40 percent of its water supply. But with serious drought across the basin, and Colorado River reservoirs falling, the ���Ϲ���—through its Western Water program, state offices, and partnerships—is urging Arizona to adopt water conservation measures that reduce risks to our economic and environmental livelihoods. Stabilizing water levels in Lake Mead is critical for our rivers, birds, wildlife, communities, and economies.

���Ϲ��� partners with breweries year round to collaborate over common interests. Without a flowing Colorado River, Arizona could not support habitat for birds, nor resources for beer.

“As a business-owner, I’m keenly aware that our business and the entire Arizona economy depend on a healthy Colorado River, and sensible legislation to manage it,” said Michael Mallozzi, Co-founder and President of Borderlands Brewing Company. “On behalf of Wren House, Crooked Tooth, and our family and Borderlands, I’m thrilled to team up with ���Ϲ��� to advocate for a healthy Colorado River—for all of us.”

“Rain Crow” is the colloquial term for the Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo, a bird emblematic of healthy Western rivers. Once common across the Colorado River Basin and western North America during their breeding season, loss of their favored riverside habitat across their range has restricted them to small populations primarily in Arizona, California, and New Mexico. They spend much of their life in Central and South America, visiting only during the hottest months to take advantage of monsoon season. They can be identified by their pearly white breast, yellow bill, and distinctive knocking call. A perfect beer for Arizona’s sweltering summers, Rain Crow will be a 50% wheat Hazy IPA with 5 different kinds of hops plus some late additions that will be added part way through the brewing process.

After the July 28^th event, the beer will be available at (Tucson), (Phoenix), and (Tucson) while supplies last.

About ���Ϲ���:

The ���Ϲ��� protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. ���Ϲ��� works throughout the Americas using, science, advocacy, education and on-the-ground conservation. State programs, nature centers, chapters, and partners give ���Ϲ��� an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action. A nonprofit conservation organization since 1905, ���Ϲ��� believes in a world in which people and wildlife thrive. Learn more and how to help at  and follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @audubonsociety.

About ���Ϲ���'s Western Water Initiative:

The Western Water Initiative is ���Ϲ���'s multi-state effort to protect the Colorado River and the West’s network of Saline Lakes. Some 65,000 members strong and growing, the network advocates for science-based, non-partisan water policies and management that benefit rivers and lakes for the birds, wildlife, habitats, cities, and economies they support. To learn more, visit: .

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Contact:

Joey Kahn, jkahn@audubon.org, (480) 788-2416