August 31, 2023

Monk's Cafe to host vintage beer sale to aid Vermont flood recovery

The fundraiser take places Saturday morning at the Center City pub. A variety of rare bottles are available to purchase

By Franki Rudnesky
PhillyVoice Staff

Monk's Cafe is selling rare vintage beer Saturday to raise money for relief efforts in Vermont, where severe floods devastated Montpelier and other towns.

The Belgian-style brewpub, located near Rittenhouse Square, is hosting the pop-up fundraiser from 10 am. to noon. The sale is cash only, and all proceeds will go directly to small businesses affected by the floods. Monk's will match the money raised.

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"These (bottles) were all expensive when I purchased them, and I'm selling them at a really good price," Monk's owner Tom Peters said. "And hopefully we can just help some of these (Vermont businesses) get back open sometime this fall. It's been really difficult for them."

The bottles available to purchase include 2010 Sierra Nevada 30th anniversary stout, 1998 Hair of the Dog golden ale and 2019 Firestone Walker Rolling Bones barrel-aged sours. Prices vary, and there is very limited availability.

In July, torrential rains caused destructive floods across Vermont. Relief efforts are ongoing, as small businesses are struggling to recover from the damage to buildings and merchandise with little monetary assistance from the government.

Peters owns a cabin in Vermont, and has frequented many of the shops, bars and restaurants affected by the floods. He raised $5,000 for flood relief efforts through a fundraiser earlier this month at Monk's, and hopes to continue contributing even more through the vintage beer sale and future events.

"A lot of these people will need hundreds of thousands of dollars to rebuild," Peters said. "So, you know, any donation really helps ... I'm hoping to make a dent for some of these people."

Anyone who cannot make the sale but would like to aid the flood relief in Montpelier, which was devastated by the flood, can make donations to Montpelier Alive, a nonprofit that has established a recovery fund. Contributions can be made online or checks can be sent to 39 Main St., Montpelier, VT 05602.