Last Updated on March 10, 2024, 9:33 AM | Published: March 10, 2024
OKLAHOMA CITY — When you think about ways to get involved in things like environmentalist action or endangered species repopulation, just grabbing a six-pack of local craft beer probably isn’t where your mind goes.
But thanks to OKC’s Anthem Brewing and their new collaboration with environmental outreach Okies for Monarchs, you’ll soon be able to support the threatened butterfly population and enjoy a cold one at the same time.
The groups are joining forces to bring you the Save the Monarchs Pollinator Pilsner to not only spread awareness of the beloved monarch butterfly’s disappearing habitat but also encourage craft beer drinkers to get in on the efforts to help restore some of the species’ needed vegetation and sustenance.
“There’s been a decline of over 59% in the last year of the monarch population,” said Katie Hawk of Okies for Monarchs and the Oklahoma Monarch Society. “So we need to start reaching new audiences, and we’re putting our hands out there and seeing what new partnerships we can build and how we can reach and open eyes and hearts to get that message out.”
Declining Numbers
A lot has been made in recent years about the rapidly dwindling bee population worldwide, but butterflies – another important pollinating species – are also experiencing a dire trend of global decline.
Researchers and trackers say that this year’s monarch population will be the second smallest ever recorded.
“Climate change is the issue,” Hawk said. “But we also have all of the other elements, like loss of habitat from development and loss of habitat also from herbicides and pesticides and people spraying Round-Up all year.”
All of these causes combined have resulted in a worrying decrease to the monarch population of 59.3% in just one year.
As Oklahoma is a central and integral part of the international monarch “flyway” that takes them through the plains states and even into Mexico, the species is depending on our state to curb that decline.
So it’s in that spirit that the Oklahoma Monarch & Pollinator Collaborative launched Okies for Monarchs as an outreach initiative to help spread the Statewide Monarch Action Plan.
“At this point, it’s kind of do-or-die, all hands on deck,” Hawk said. “We know we’ve really got to go big or go home.”
Brewing a Plan
One of the ways that they plan to “go big” this year is by collaborating with Anthem on the new Pollinator Pilsner, a honey lager that’s set to hit the market in April, just in time for warmer temperatures, outdoor drinking, and what would normally be the time to see monarchs all across the state.
But the decision to collaborate on a beer came from more than just the potential new audience. It also serves as a reminder of all we stand to lose to unchecked climate change.
“Beer actually goes hand in hand with the butterflies,” Hawk said. “The ingredients in beer require pollination to be created. So we have this kind of synchronicity happening. Beer is a great medium to communicate the importance of pollination.”
The same can be said, of course, for the inclusion of honey in the brewing process, something that Anthem has never done before.
“We knew we wanted to make a lighter style lager to appeal to the biggest number of people to raise awareness and get them involved,” said Jon Ebrey, Anthem’s Director of Marketing. “But we also wanted to do something a little different. So when you add honey during the fermentation, all the sugar gets fermented out, so it’s not sweet, but you get some of that mouthfeel and that flavor.”
Planting an Idea
But Okies for Monarchs and Anthem decided to take it another step further.
In addition to raising awareness of the monarch’s declining numbers and disappearing habitat through the new beer, they’ll also be providing a more direct way for people to get involved.
“We’ve got these seed packets that we’ll be giving to stores whenever the beer goes out and they can give them away from free to customers,” Ebrey said. “Monarchs need milkweed and wildflowers. If they don’t get them, their numbers will continue to decline.”
Anyone who gets one of the seed packets will simply need to plant them in their flowerbeds or yards to help replenish some of the vegetation that monarchs need to survive.
“All you need to do is clear out a little patch, plant them, and give them six to eight hours of sunlight,” Ebrey explained. “And that’s it. Just walk away and let them do their thing. You don’t have to do much.”
Hawk is hopeful that including the seeds alongside the new beer will get them into the hands of some new people who might never think about planting to help strengthen pollinator populations.
“We go through thousands of these seed packets every year statewide,” she said. “So this is just a great new opportunity to boost engagement and bring folks together and to give Anthem some love for all the love they’ve given us.”
To learn more, visit okiesformonarchs.org and anthembrewing.com.
Look for Anthem Brewing’s Save the Monarchs Pollinator Pilsner in stores this April.
Brett Fieldcamp has been covering arts, entertainment, news, housing, and culture in Oklahoma for nearly 15 years, writing for several local and state publications. He’s also a musician and songwriter and holds a certification as Specialist of Spirits from The Society of Wine Educators.
