Updated: Tue Mar. 24 2009 11:12:40

ctvbc.ca

A Northern B.C. brewery is taking the fight against pine beetles to a whole new level: the bottle.

Pacific Western Brewing Company has launched a new beer along with a pledge to plant a tree for every case of Cariboo Genuine Draft sold this year.

The battle against pine beetles is one close to the heart for the Prince George-based company. The northern city is one of the areas hardest hit by the mountain pine beetle devastation.

"It is unreal up here," said company spokesperson Paul Mulgrew.

"When you fly or drive into Prince George you can see the mountains have turned red. They've closed the golf course because it's taken over the area so badly."

The campaign, which kicked off Saturday, will see a partnership between the brewery and Trees Canada for the duration of 2009.

The company will produce an update every month to update the number of seedlings in the ground.

Mulgrew says its initial goal is 100,000 new trees by September, an ambitious goal for the relatively tiny micro-brewery.

"We're a small brewery. We'd be out there planting ourselves but we just don't have the manpower," Mulgrew said.

"It's just important for us to know we're making a difference."

Mountain pine beetles have destroyed close to 13.5 million hectares of lodgepole pine in British Columbia alone. 

With files from The Canadian Press

Please Add Comments(4)

Doug BC
I've been driving through that area on my way to Terrace,every couple of years for most of my 60 years on this planet.It's heartbreaking to see what these beetles have done.I applaud anyone,and everyone with the desire to get out and try to mitigate the impact of this infestation.
Right now,I am wondering if this winter will have had an impact on these little critters.It was quite cold in many parts of BC.And for quite some time.Does anyone know if this will help slow them down??

Allie chilliwack
Cheers a new reason to buy beer

Paul Mulgrew
I had the same question when I was up there. Apparently they need -40 degree temperatures and a long harsh winter. I know our winter has been harsh in Vancouver but Prince George has been pretty normal - cold, but normal.

sandyr
Thank you for this offer and it will influence my choice of refreshment. I am in the Cariboo several times a year and the devastation is shocking. Every little bit will help and now I can tell my wife I'm going out to plant a tree.