RationAle Brewing partners with the Andy Irons Foundation to battle mental health and substance abuse while providing a tasty alternative.
The photographer behind this project who shot many of the legendary shots of AI : Steve Sherman
Why is Yüth Magazine covering a non-alcoholic craft beer company's collaboration with the Andy Irons Foundation? Well, after a long phone call with founder Jamie Fay, it became very apparent that just like the Andy Irons Foundation, mental health awareness is a big priority for Encinitas-based RationAle Brewing. Some may ask how a brand like RationAle plays a part in mental health, but for Jamie it is the result of a direct response to hardships he watched his father experience.
"My dad was one of the top trial lawyers in the country, one of the youngest Supreme Court judges, and a professor at the University of Toronto. He had absolutely everything going for him. Due to social anxiety and some mental health challenges that came with the pressure of his role, he really ended up in a place where he leaned on alcohol. Eventually it created a lifestyle that was not healthy and led to his death at a young age."
This is a story familiar to Lyndie Irons, wife of one of the most beloved surfers of all time. Andy Irons struggled with mental health and bipolar disorder, and the world lost him far too soon. In response, Lyndie started the Andy Irons Foundation, rooted in helping people get support with substance abuse and mental health. The integration feels natural, and for the month of May, RationAle and the Foundation are launching the "Check In Before You Drop In" campaign, reminding us to check in with our loved ones just like you'd go check the waves at your favorite local surf spot. RationAle will donate 1% of all Hawaii sales year-round, $2 per 6-pack on their website all of May, and $1 per 6-pack at Foodland Hawaii through June to the Foundation.
For Yüth, with our young audience it's important to make sure kids understand the threat of substance abuse on mental health and how often those two things co-exist. We also understand the reality, people enjoy having a social drink or two with friends. That's why we're such big fans of what RationAle has created by making one of the best tasting NA craft beers we've ever had, and founder Jamie Fay puts it perfectly: "We're not preachy, we're not trying to push sobriety, but our business was founded around having a conversation around alcohol and including the discussions around the impact that has on your mental health."
