Hight, Bigelow Brewing partnership continues to raise money for nonprofits

PHOTO: Representatives of Skowhegan-area charities accept a donation generated by the Hight-Bigelow Brewing partnership. From left, Erin Merrill, Kristina Cannon, Sam Hight, Jennifer Grenier, Gail Gibson and Ken Lexier. (Submitted photo)

SKOWHEGAN — The Hight Family of Dealerships celebrated its 110 year anniversary in a unique way, brewing a beer with Bigelow Brewing. In August, the two Skowhegan-based businesses announced their one-of-a-kind beer collaboration, Hight’s Tin Can Sailor, with the Hights pledging to donate $1 for each can sold to local charities in honor of the late S. Kirby Hight.

The first batch of Hight’s Tin Can Sailor, which features a photo of S. Kirby Hight on the label and named to honor his legacy as a war hero and business icon, sold out within four days. The first batch yielded 55 cases, or 1320 cans — giving $1,320 to Skowhegan Free Public Library, a charity that Kirby and his wife Grace were incredibly supportive and proud of.
With the success of the first batch of beer, Sam Hight, dealer principal at Hight Ford, and Jeff Powers, owner of Bigelow Brewing, set out to more than double the production of Hight’s Tin Can Sailor and reached out to area businesses and restaurants to make the beer widely available throughout central and western Maine.
“The first batch was for fun — a homage to my grandfather and a celebration of 110 years of business. Thanks to Jeff and his Bigelow crew, they made an incredible beer that was well received — with locals, patrons, and Hight friends asking for more. Jeff was willing to brew an entire 18-barrel batch that has put a great beer for great causes in the hands of thousands of Mainers,” Hight said.
The second batch of an additional 166 cases, or 4,000 cans, added a $4,000 donation to four local charities. The Skowhegan Food Cupboard received $1,000.
Jennifer Grenier, board chair, said, “These funds will go a long ways and will help provide food for many families that struggle with food insecurity. We wouldn’t be able to do what we do on an ongoing basis without assistance from businesses like the Hight Family and are just truly humbled to see the support they give to so many wonderful organizations.”
Skowhegan Rotary, Main Street Skowhegan and Educare Skowhegan all received $1,000.
The Educare Skowhegan money helped kick off the work for the new Skowhegan early childhood education facility.
Hight’s Tin Can Sailor is available at 30 locations from Oquossoc to Portland both on tap at restaurants, retail locations, and at Bigelow Brewing.