Smithwick’s, Boomer Esiason & Craig Carton Release Smithwick’s Blonde Ale to Help Support Veterans

NEW YORK, Jan. 25, 2017 Smithwick’s is collaborating with Boomer Esiason and Craig Carton, hosts of the Boomer & Carton show on WFAN-NY sports radio and CBS Sports [TV] Network, to release Smithwick’s Blonde Ale and to make a contribution in support of the Veterans Education Challenge, a charity that helps veterans attend college by providing scholarships not covered by the GI Bill.

"Last year, I had the chance to travel to Ireland to meet with the Smithwick’s team at the brewing site and help the brewers create a batch of Smithwick’s Blonde Ale," said Esiason. "From the first time I sampled Smithwick’s Blonde Ale, I knew Craig and I had to be a part of it. Smithwick’s has an amazing track record with creating quality beers, and we couldn’t be more excited to collaborate with such a longstanding brewer and a great foundation. It’s a win-win."

"Smithwick’s Blonde Ale lets people have the chance to enjoy a quality beer, responsibly of course, while also giving back to a great cause like the Veterans Education Challenge," said Dan Buttling, SVP, Marketing, Diageo Beer Company. "We wanted to collaborate with our longtime friends Boomer and Craig on a project benefitting this charity – anyone who knows them can see that giving back is at the core of who they are."

As longstanding supporters of the military and first responders, Boomer and Carton chose the Veterans Education Challenge as the beneficiary of their partnership with Smithwick’s. Supporting veterans’ rights to earn an opportunity for higher education has always been at the heart of the organization, and the contribution from Smithwick’s, as well as the awareness generated by the new beer’s limited time release, will go toward making this a reality.

"These service men and women loyally defend our country and often go on to serve in both the public and private sectors," said Avis Richards, Founder of the Veterans Education Challenge. "It is our duty to help them achieve their educational goals. We are very excited to pair with such a supportive partner, Diageo, and to receive support from the likes of Boomer and Carton to help spread the word about the Veterans Education Challenge."

In addition to charitable work, Boomer and Carton have teamed up with multiple Diageo brands in the past for responsible drinking initiatives, hosted various events and even visited St. James’s Gate, where Smithwick’s Blonde Ale is brewed alongside the iconic Guinness Draught. 

With more than 300 years of brewing experience and a focus on delivering premium beer to be enjoyed responsibly, Smithwick’s created Blonde Ale with Polaris hops for a delicate, refreshing-tasting ale with a smooth finish. The golden, crisp session ale gives off a citrus and floral aroma with hints of grapefruit and provides subtle malty biscuit flavors, with an ABV of 4.1% and 18 IBUs.

"Over the years, Boomer and I have worked with different charities to help give back to causes important in their lives as well as our own," said Carton "We’ve always enjoyed working with Diageo in the past, and we thought this Smithwick’s collaboration was the perfect fit for us."

Smithwick’s brewery was founded in 1710 in Kilkenny, Ireland, and Smithwick’s remains the country’s oldest and best-selling ale. Almost 300 years into its history, Smithwick’s first came to the U.S. in 2004 and has become an iconic Irish brand in America.

Ahead of St. Patrick’s Day, the limited-supply release of Smithwick’s Blonde Ale provides consumers of the legal drinking age with another Irish brew to enjoy. Smithwick’s Blonde Ale is available in the New York metro area only, for a manufacturer’s suggested six-pack retail price of $9.99 and only while supplies last. Whether it’s Smithwick’s Blonde Ale with Boomer and Carton this winter, or Smithwick’s Red Ale come March 17, remember to enjoy your beer responsibly.