Brewing for the Outdoors: Pints for Parks Continues to Give Back
After a long day in the outdoors, you’ve relaxed into your campsite as dinner cooks over the fire. Accompanying those wonderful sounds and smells of camping is a refreshing can of the current Pints for Parks brew. While you sip on Moontown Brewing Company’s latest masterpiece, you are reminded that you’re also supporting Indiana’s public lands with each taste filled drink. The Pints for Parks series is the perfect partner to your outdoor adventures.
When Moontown launched the Pints for Parks series in 2020, they set out to support Indiana State Parks through innovative brewing. Now, 12 beers into the journey, the series has gained a dedicated following and continues to give back to Indiana’s public lands.
“We get visitors from all over the state to try the beers and collect the labels,” said Moontown Co-Owner Bobby Mattingly. “It has been really fulfilling to see the amount of support we’ve received, and it feels like we’ve done a small part in raising awareness for Indiana’s parks and their natural beauty.”
Pints for Parks began with McCormick’s Creek, a juicy hazy IPA that represented Indiana’s first state park. As they work through the Indiana State Park properties as they were established, the Moontown crew has explored all corners of the state and a variety of brew types. From the dark and hoppy India Brown Ale of Brown County to the refreshing Helles that was Shakamak, each brew is uniquely crafted before being canned behind distinct artwork that highlights the properties.
A Starve Hollow can, the 11th installment in the Pints for Parks series, along the shore of Starve Hollow Lake.
Most recently, Pints for Parks made the journey north with Tippecanoe River, a West Coast IPA. Prior to Tippecanoe River, the Moontown crew brewed a unique India Pale Lager for Starve Hollow. The property is known for its fantastic fishing and spectacular camping, which made the brew the perfect match for late summer adventures. The beer also won silver at the 2024 Indiana Brewers Cup.
While we celebrate and enjoy each installment of the series, we’re most grateful for the way Moontown’s generosity will impact Indiana’s outdoors. A portion of proceeds from each beer is donated to the INRF and designated for projects at Indiana State Parks. At Turkey Run State Park, one meaningful project is already complete thanks to the program. When the steps at the iconic Sunset Point needed repair, $2,500 of Pints for Parks donations fulfilled that need.
When asked what his favorite part of the series has been so far, Mattingly immediately responded by mentioning that special project at Turkey Run. With hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, the repaired stairs will serve Hoosiers and visitors alike for years to come.
Mattingly and Peczkowski at Turkey Run State Park.
“We wanted to focus on a project that would serve the public,” said Chris Newcomb, Turkey Run property manager. “Repairing the steps at Sunset Point was a great opportunity to partner with Moontown and make an impact on the park.”
The 13th beer, Versailles, is nearly ready. As we await its release, it’s easy to look back with excitement on all the success of the program so far. But ultimately, Pints for Parks is just getting started. Mattingly and Head Brewer Cody Peczkowski are excited to keep marching down the trail in support of our state parks.
“Indiana really has some great geography, flora, and fauna and we just want to help preserve it,” Mattingly said. “This all just comes from our love of our underrated state as far as the outdoors go.”
Each time a brew is released, you can visit one of Moontown Brewing’s locations to get it on draft or in commemorative 4-packs.
We’re thankful for our dedicated donors and partners and the impact they make on Indiana’s outdoors. You can support our projects and programs by donating today. If you would like more information on becoming a partner, please contact us.