MillerCoors Poised to Make a Great Impact Through Nationwide Water Stewardship Initiative

CHICAGO, Aug. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- MillerCoors is taking action this September with a month-long, nationwide volunteering blitz focused on protecting and preserving local water resources. Water stewardship is a key sustainable development priority for the company and for the third consecutive year, MillerCoors will partner with local non-profit organizations across the country to host employee volunteer events to protect local watersheds.

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"As a brewer, we rely on the best water to brew our high quality beers, but MillerCoors commitment to water goes far beyond our own dependence," said MillerCoors Chief Executive Officer Tom Long. "We're a partner to the communities where we operate, and each September, we recognize that we have a great responsibility to be stewards of our environment, our people and our communities.

Now in its third year, MillerCoors Great Water Month is continuing to grow. In fact, for the first time ever, MillerCoors Chicago Headquarters is bringing its 300+ employees, including the company's senior leaders, into Chicago neighborhoods to work with local non-profit organizations on water improvement initiatives.  Additionally, for every hour volunteered by employees during Great Water Month, MillerCoors will donate $2 to the United Way.

"Water stewardship is a priority for our business, and our employees are as passionate about making a difference as they are about making great beer," added Long. "MillerCoors contributes to its communities 365 days a year, but the month of September is an opportunity for employees to get directly involved in protecting a resource that is critical to our business."

Additionally, MillerCoors is making strides toward its 2015 goal of reducing water usage by 15 percent to 3.5 barrels of water per barrel of beer. MillerCoors has forged strong partnerships with water organizations, including The Nature Conservancy and local barley farmers in Silver Creek, Idaho, to establish a more water-efficient irrigation method for grain farming to save water and energy.

Listed below are the water stewardship volunteer events taking place throughout September (all times local):

Golden, Co., Friday, September 9, 8:30am-3:30pm

The brewery will host its fifth annual Friends of the Forest day in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Forest Foundation to repair the streambed along the Clear Creek Watershed.

Elkton, Va., Friday, September 9, 7am-3pm

Employees will volunteer with Shenandoah Valley Pure Water Forum to help protect the Stonewall Jackson Area Council at Camp Shenandoah along the Shenandoah River banks.

Trenton, Oh., Friday, September 9, 3pm-7pm

The brewery will work with Great Miami River Days to conduct a river clean-up and storm drain marking project.  

Chippewa Falls, Wi., Saturday, September 10, 8am-2pm

Leinenkugel's employees will team with Irvine Park and General Beer North West, Great Northern Corp. and Maletto Packaging Inc. to clear a trail through the woods for new viewing and fishing areas on the banks of Duncan Creek.

Puerto Rico, Saturday, September 10, all day

Employees will work with Cestuario de la Bahia de San Juan in Islote la Esperanza, Cantano to help clean up the bay.

Fort Worth, Tx., Saturday, September 17, 8:30am-1pm

Employees will join with the Fort Worth Nature Center to clean up the Trinity River and land surrounding the Nature Center.

Milwaukee, Wi., Saturday, September 17, 9am-12pm

Employees will clean up the Milwaukee River and remove trash at Lincoln Park with partner Milwaukee Riverkeeper.

Irwindale, Ca., Saturday, September 17, 9am-12pm

The brewery will join the Ocean Conservancy to help clean up Bolsa Chica State Park as part of International Coastal Clean-up Day.

Chicago, Il., Friday, September 23, all day

The entire Chicago team will join Friends of the Chicago River, Open Lands, Iron Street Farm, and Alliance for the Great Lakes on water improvement projects.

Albany, Ga., Friday, September 23, 9:30am-11:30am

The brewery will team with Flint Riverkeeper to clean up the river banks.

Eden, N.C., Saturday, September 24, 9am-12pm

Employees will plant trees and shrubs on the river bank at Draper Landing in partnership with the Dan River Basin Association.

For more information on these activities and other sustainability initiatives, visit GreatBeerGreatResponsibility.com or Great Beer, Great Responsibility on Facebook.  

About MillerCoors

MillerCoors brews, markets and sells the MillerCoors portfolio of brands in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.  Built on a foundation of great beer brands and nearly 300 years of brewing heritage, MillerCoors continues the commitment of its founders to brew the highest quality beers.  MillerCoors is the second-largest beer company in America, capturing nearly 30 percent of U.S. beer sales.  Led by two of the best-selling beers in the industry, MillerCoors has a broad portfolio of highly complementary brands across every major industry segment.  Miller Lite is the great-tasting beer that established the American light beer category in 1975, and Coors Light is the brand that introduced consumers to Rocky Mountain cold refreshment.  MillerCoors brews premium beers Coors Banquet and Miller Genuine Draft, and economy brands Miller High Life and Keystone Light. The company also offers innovative products such as MGD 64, Miller Chill and Sparks.  Tenth and Blake Beer Company, MillerCoors new craft and import company, imports Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Pilsner Urquell and Grolsch and features craft brews from the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company, Blue Moon Brewing Company and the Blitz-Weinhard Brewing Company.  MillerCoors operates eight major breweries in the U.S., as well as the Leinenkugel's craft brewery in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and two microbreweries, the 10th Street Brewery in Milwaukee and the Blue Moon Brewing Company at Coors Field in Denver.  MillerCoors vision is to create the best beer company in America by driving profitable industry growth.  MillerCoors insists on building its brands the right way through brewing quality, responsible marketing and environmental and community impact.  MillerCoors is a joint venture of SABMiller plc and Molson Coors Brewing Company.

SOURCE MillerCoors