What Is Hops for Heroes?
Hops for Heroes is a nationwide, brewery-driven campaign that transforms craft beer into meaningful support for U.S. Service Members, Veterans, and Military Families.
Breweries partner with Soldiers’ Angels to turn their craft into impact—hosting creative, community-driven activations that give customers a meaningful way to support our Nation’s heroes, past and present. From Memorial Day through Veterans Day, these efforts help raise critical funds to support our mission of providing aid, comfort, and resources to those who serve.
Participating breweries can choose how they want to get involved, with activations such as donating a percentage from a tap line on a specific day, offering a round-up option at checkout, or creating a dedicated wall where patrons can leave messages and donations. Net proceeds from each activation are donated to Soldiers’ Angels before the end of the campaign year.
What makes Hops for Heroes unique is its flexibility. Every brewery decides how—and when—they want to participate within the campaign window. We provide the ideas and support; they bring it to life in a way that fits their space, their audience, and their passion.
However they choose to pour it, every effort makes a difference for the Military-connected community.
How Did It Begin?
Hops for Heroes began in 2011, when Major League Baseball pitcher Chris Ray partnered with Seattle’s Fremont Brewing Company to turn a shared love of craft beer into a force for good. Together, they launched “Homefront IPA,” a limited-edition beer with proceeds supporting Military and Veteran charities—laying the foundation for what would become a nationwide movement.
After his baseball career, Ray and his brother continued the tradition through their Virginia-based brewery, Center of the Universe Brewing Company, helping expand the campaign as more breweries across the country joined in. For years, participating breweries created their own versions of Homefront IPA and hosted Memorial Day weekend release events to raise funds and awareness.
In 2018, the campaign was entrusted to Soldiers’ Angels to carry the mission forward. Following a brief pause during the pandemic, Hops for Heroes returned with a more flexible approach—allowing breweries to participate anytime between Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
Today, the program continues to evolve. In 2026, we’ve made participation even more accessible by removing the requirement to brew a Homefront IPA—giving breweries more freedom to engage in ways that best fit their business and community.
From a single beer in Seattle to a growing national campaign, Hops for Heroes continues to tap into the power of craft beer to support those who serve.
Need some printable information to share with your favorite brewery? Check out our one-pager.
Contact Hops for Heroes
Interested in learning more about Hops for Heroes? We’d love to hear from you! Feel free to call the Soldiers’ Angels office Monday – Friday between 9 am and 5 pm CT and ask to speak to someone about Hops for Heroes: 210-629-0020. Or you can fill out the contact form below and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Ready to join the lineup? Register now.