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New Libation Honors Land Trust Milestone

The Recorder, November 4, 2016

Artisan Beverage Cooperative will debut a new drink this weekend during Franklin County CiderDays in celebration of Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust, which turned 30 this summer.

Garth Shaneyfelt of ABC, whose meads and other libations that include sustainably-sourced fruits, ginger and honey, wanted to commemorate the trust’s work. The result, “Mount Grace Anniversary Cyzer,” will debut at ABC’s brewery, 324 Wells St., during Franklin County CiderDays this weekend.

“We’re truly honored,” said Mount Grace deputy director David Graham Wolf in a news release. “ABC is a perfect example of community support for agriculture — they’re a local business that supports local farms with its purchasing power and gives back to the community by donating proceeds to protect more land. They’ve created something that’s local, sustainable and delicious.”

ABC will be open for tours and tastings today and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mount Grace volunteers will be in attendance, and Shaneyfelt is also planning a tasting at the Blind Pig in Athol for later this month.

Since 1986, Mount Grace has helped protect more than 31,000 acres of farm and forest land in Franklin and Worcester counties. The trust is currently working to protect six farms in Montague and Wendell as part of the Mormon Hollow Landscape Partnership.

“I can’t imagine a better way to honor Mount Grace’s local land protection work than with the bounty of the Pioneer Valley,” Shaneyfelt said in the release. “We always hope people will enjoy our brews, but in this case we also hope people will be inspired to support more land conservation.”

Mount Grace Anniversary Cyzer will be on sale at the New Salem General Store, Stan’s Package store in Athol, Highland Spirits in Orange, Ryan & Casey Liquors and the Wine Rack in Greenfield, and Connecticut River Liquors in Montague, and will be available at the Blind Pig in Athol.