Stone Brewing To Celebrate Charities, Customers
at 5th Anniversary Open House

San Marcos, CA --When Co-Founders Greg Koch (CEO) and Steve Wagner (President & Brewmaster) started Stone Brewing Co. five years ago, they may have thought that the endeavor would lead to some gray hair, but neither of them anticipated green. However, when Stone fans descend upon the 5th Anniversary Open House to help Stone Brewing Co. celebrate, they will be greeted by dozens, if not hundreds, of green heads. But, no green heads on the beer, of course. Instead, Stone staffers, supporters, and fans are dyeing their hair green to raise money for charity during this annual celebration. "We like to give back to the community and we like to have fun," said CEO Koch about Stone Brewing's very unusual "Going Green Week" fund raiser, "Our success gives us an opportunity to do both, even if it is in an unconventional way. And quite frankly, we're very good at having fun and being unconventional."

But charities aside, the real reason that 3,000 fans attended last year's anniversary was to express their boundless enthusiasm for Stone beers, one sip at a time. This year, fans will be getting more of the same — righteous brews served up by enthusiastic (perhaps obsessive?) and knowledgeable (certainly Arrogant!) brewers. The fifth anniversary celebration, like ones past, will feature the aggressively-hopped Stone 5th Anniversary IPA. In every previous year, the gifted, but maniacal, brewers have upped the bitterness of this Anniversary brew, now past the point of ridiculousness. "We're adding so many hops to this year's recipe, that surpassing it would require that we brew in zero gravity," surmised Head Brewer Lee Chase. Cask conditioned versions of Stone ales will also be served.

Attendees will also have an opportunity to sample foods from local purveyors that are made with Stone beers. Last year's highlights included gourmet Stone Smoked Porter sausages from T & H Prime Meats & Sausage, Stone Smoked Porter Cheesecake by Amore Cheesecakes and Arrogant Bastard Ale onion rings. The 5th Anniversary Open House will be held at the brewery from Noon to 4 pm on September 22nd.

Admission to the event is $10, with the Surfrider Foundation taking home the proceeds of the gate. Children's Hospital, the American Cancer Society and Boys & Girls Club of San Marcos will receive 100% of the proceeds from Stone Brewing's Going Green Week.

Stone Brewing's success has been nothing short of phenomenal. Stone has led the brewing industry for overall percentage of growth in three of the last five years and has been among the top percentages for the rest. Stone Brewing will continue to shun advertising and gimmickry, instead concentrating on brewing and distributing only the finest BIG CHARACTER beers, their current recipe for success.

Additional information about the Stone 5th Anniversary Open House and directions can also be found at www.stonebrewing.com. Those wishing to participate in Stone Brewing's Going Green Week fundraiser can get more information at www.stonebrewing.com/greenweek, or by coming by the brewery during tasting hours [Fridays from 3-6 pm, and Saturdays from 11-3 pm].