WeldWerks to host a COVID-19 vaccine clinic Saturday, giving out a free beer to those who get the shot or show their vaccine card
Courtesy photo
By Kelly Ragan
No one likes shots, at least the ones involving needles, but a free beer might just help people get over it. At least that’s the idea behind a new partnership between the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment and WeldWerks Brewing Company.
The health department will host a free, walk-up vaccine clinic 1-5:30 p.m. Saturday at WeldWerks, featuring the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Folks who get the vaccine will be rewarded with one free draft pour, as well as a limited edition “I Got Vaccinated” 16-oz can of Hazy IPA Juicy Bits to take home, according to WeldWerks.
If you’re already vaccinated, you can still score a free can of the brewery’s signature drink. Just bring your vaccination card to the brewery starting May 22 until supplies (about 2,200 cans).
Mark Lawley, executive director of the health department, said in an interview with the Optimist that the health department is trying to reach people who want to get vaccinated, but for whatever reason haven’t been able to.
“I think it’s going to take these kinds of partnerships because of hesitancy around the vaccine and because things have tapered off,” he said. “To get more vaccines in arms, we’ll have to reach folks who maybe have wanted it but haven’t the opportunity to take off work or do an evening clinic for whatever reason.”
Even Weld County Commissioner Scott James will attend the event, offering encouragement.
Neil Fisher, co-founder and head brewer at WeldWerks, said it’s been the brewery’s goal since the beginning of the pandemic to lean on what makes them unique as a business. A big part of that is serving the community.
“We’re not health care providers, we aren’t in public health, that’s not our role,” Fisher said. “But if there is a way we can be involved and help, we want to do that.”
This isn’t the first time WeldWerks has stepped up to serve the community during the pandemic.
Last year, WeldWerks also partnered with Pine Bluffs Distilling in Wyoming and Tower 56 – now 477 Distilling – to produce hand sanitizer amid shortages. By sourcing Everclear from local liquor stores and combining the ethanol with aloe vera, WeldWerks produced hand sanitizer to donate to first responders, medical professionals and the public, according to CraftBeer.com.
The idea behind the free beer is less of an incentive, Fisher said, and more of a “thank you” to the folks who are helping the community get back on track and return to normal.
And while WeldWerks has a lot of parking space and good will to offer, Fisher said there’s a financial incentive to all of this work too.
“We have a financial stake in this. Shutdowns impact our business,” Fisher said. “If we go back to shutdowns or restrictions, that has a financial impact on the community and jobs all around.”
Fisher said when WeldWerks made the announcement on Facebook, the post got pushback, much like the kind Krispy Kreme got for offering a free donut for a vaccine. Like many other aspects of the pandemic, vaccines have become a bit of a political hot button.
“Our last intention or hope was that this would be a political statement,” Fisher said. “We just thought we had the space, why not help. We aren’t requiring vaccines for mask enforcement or anything like that.”
Similar incentives have worked in other parts of the country, such in Erie County in New York.
According to a report by Slate, a vaccination clinic inside a brewery in Buffalo got more shots in arms than any other pop-up clinic during the same period.
What you need to know
When: Saturday, May 22 from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Where: WeldWerks Brewing Co., 508 8th Ave. in Greeley
For how long: Until supplies last