Authored By Staff Report

Art and craft beer are burgeoning across the Scenic City, but with the flourishing scene comes the need to recognize so many who poured themselves into the spirit of our town.

The recent loss of A. Hunter White left many in both the beer and creative scene in Chattanooga — as well as many others who knew and loved him — reeling from a loss that is all too common. That’s why, Aug. 31, Chattanooga’s brewery and tap house guide, Brew Guide, will launch with a benefit event at Barley Chattanooga with exclusive preview kegs from not-yet-open local breweries.

All proceeds from the kegs will support the establishment of the Counsel for Creatives Fund. The new fund will connect community members with local mental health professionals and prevent cost from being a barrier to access to life-changing services.

Chattanooga Brew Guide’s creators, in partnership with SoundCorps Executive Director Stratton Tingle, were inspired to create the fund to honor the memories of those no longer with us, as well as to foster critically important conversations regarding mental health. Recently, SoundCorps hosted an evening of conversation dubbed Counsel for Creatives in response to the number of deaths in the local music industry.

“Many of Chattanooga’s musicians, creators and artists have difficulty connecting to mental health resources, and the need is very real,” Tingle said. “Community leaders are discussing the feasibility of a long-term initiative focused on mental wellness in Chattanooga’s creative community. This fund will assist in covering the cost of mental wellness therapy services for creatives, so we can hopefully eliminate the cost barrier.”

Chattanooga Brew Guide’s launch party will take place Friday, Aug. 31 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Barley, with live music and food (including vegetarian options) available from Go Gyro Go. For more, visit www.brewguidecha.com.

What is the Chattanooga Brew Guide? The brainchild of Super Chief, an award-winning branding and production company in Chattanooga, the Chattanooga Brew Guide (formerly TapTour Brew Guide) is a self-guided ale trail to the phenomenal breweries and tap houses who’ve made their home in our sweet city.

Brew guide passbooks can be picked up at any participating location or the Chattanooga Visitor’s Bureau for free. Once your guidebook is in hand, it’s as simple as buying beers and collecting stamps, then exchanging those for swag at our home base sponsor and partner, Barley.

Collect window decals, branded glassware and more, all while exploring the best our city has to offer.

Why the counsel for creatives fund?

Craft beer, entrepreneurship and creativity all go hand-in-hand, and we believe a local guide should give back to the community that champions it, Brew Guide organizer Gabrielle Chevalier said.

“The ability to afford therapy is not only an important conversation to continue in our community as a whole, it’s something that is deeply personal,” Chevalier said. “I can’t imagine what my life would be like if I hadn’t had access and support when I’ve needed it. And I believe as a community we need to ask what else we can be doing to take care of each other.”