How Four Peaks Brewery is helping teachers get ready for the new school year

The beginning of a new school year can often mean teachers reaching into their own pockets for essential classroom supplies, but Four Peaks Brewery is helping to ease the financial burden with Four Peaks for Teachers, its annual back-to-school event.  

Four Peaks launched the Four Peaks for Teachers initiative in 2011. Since its inception, the program has evolved into an expansive, multi-state effort, reaching deserving teachers not only in Arizona but throughout the Southwest. 

Over the years, Four Peaks for Teachers has provided more than 40,000 supply kits, ensuring that educators have the necessary tools to create enriching learning environments. In addition to supply kits, the program has granted over $20,000 in cash grants to deserving teachers, helping them to overcome financial hurdles and focus on their work in the classroom.

The program operates through direct donations and funds raised from sales of Four Peaks Kilt Lifter beer. This unique approach allows beer enthusiasts to contribute to a noble cause while enjoying their favorite beverages. 

This year, Four Peaks for Teachers is on pace to distribute 7,000 supply kits to teachers in Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. 

The initiative is set to recognize the exceptional efforts of educators through its “Thank A Teacher” contest. Ten teachers will be awarded $1,000 cash grants, and one exceptional educator will be crowned “Teacher of the Year” and receive a grand prize of a $3,000 cash grant, along with a custom teachers’ lounge makeover at their school.  

Four Peaks’ commitment to the community and education is a testament to the brewery’s roots. Founded in 1996 by three friends – Andy Ingram, Jim Scussel, and Randy Schultz – the brewery has deep ties to its Tempe heritage. The founders’ quest for a space that embodied the area’s history led them to the F.A. Hough Ice Factory, an iconic Mission Revival-style brick building dating back to 1892. 

Over the past nearly three decades, Four Peaks Brewery has grown from a modest neighborhood brewpub to one of the largest breweries in the Southwest. Their flagship beer, Kilt Lifter, has achieved immense popularity, becoming the best-selling Scottish Ale in the country and the number 1 craft beer in Arizona. 

In 2015, Four Peaks Brewery joined forces with Anheuser-Busch’s craft brewery partners. This strategic partnership has provided the brewery with the means to continue innovating and crafting exceptional brews while expanding its operations and distribution. 

The collaboration has enabled Four Peaks Brewery to maintain its commitment to community support. Programs like Four Peaks for Teachers are a direct result of the brewery’s  desire to give back and create a positive impact in the regions they serve.