Strictly speaking, it’s “I Registered to Vote Today,” but you get the idea. Register today, have a beer to celebrate, then vote later.

Mile Wide Beer Co.’s “I Voted Today” will be released today. In terms of beer, it’s a Double Dry-Hopped Northeast-style Pale Ale (Citra & Azacca hops) based on a template provided in collaboration with Tired Hands Brewing Company of Ardmore PA. 

However, the aim is wider than refreshment alone. “I Voted Today” is part of a nationwide initiative to register voters for this year’s general election. 

According to an information release, “a portion of the proceeds from both the draft and package sales of ‘I Voted Today’ will be donated to Headcount.org, a non-partisan non-profit that uses the power of music to register voters and promote participation in democracy. Additionally, representatives from the Kentucky Secretary of State’s Election Office will be at the MWBC Taproom on Thursday October 1st, from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. to help guests register to vote and check their registration status.”

“I Voted Today” will be available to-go in 16-ounce cans at Mile Wide beginning on October 1, with draft available for a limited time. The brewery taproom at 636 Barret Avenue opens at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and 2:00 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 

For my Hip Hops print column in the Fall 2020 issue of F&D (out now), I chat with three Louisville brewery owners about their survival techniques during COVID-19, among them Mile Wide’s Scott Shreffler, as well as Leah Dienes (Apocalypse Brew Works) and Sam Cruz (Against the Grain). Here’s a previous snapshot of Mile Wide from 2018.

Hip Hops: Mile Wide Beer Co. and the localizing of New England-style IPA