North Carolina’s Raleigh Brewing Co. teamed up this fall with global tech company Lenovo and national nonprofit Can’d Aid to get local kids on bikes — and celebrate with a beer. The effort marked Lenovo’s 20th anniversary in North Carolina and turned the brewery’s taproom into a hub for good. Volunteers from Lenovo gathered at Raleigh Brewing to assemble dozens of bicycles destined for children in nearby elementary schools. The event also featured a special beer release — Lenovo’s Love on Lager — brewed to honor the partnership. From the press release:
“We had a blast partnering with Can’d Aid and Lenovo for the Love on Month of Service,” said Cat Pearce, Events Coordinator at Raleigh Brewing Co. “Can’d Aid provided everything we needed for the bike build. And Lenovo’s philanthropic business model made it happen for our community.”
Can’d Aid connects breweries and communities
The multi-day celebration highlighted how local businesses can unite to create real community impact. Lenovo employees built Can’d Aid’s signature cherry-red kids’ bikes during the event, with support from Raleigh Brewing’s staff and customers. Proceeds from Lenovo’s Love on Lager and 10 percent of all taproom sales that day went to Can’d Aid, helping fund future builds across the country.
Can’d Aid has become a familiar name in the craft beer world. The nonprofit launched in 2013 and has since donated more than 20,000 bikes and skateboards to kids nationwide. Its “turn-key” model lets breweries host volunteer build events directly in their taprooms — transforming a space for pints into a place for purpose. By linking with companies like Lenovo, Can’d Aid and breweries such as Raleigh Brewing make it easy for local employees to volunteer, give back, and see the results right away — bikes ready to roll to kids who need them most. From the press release:
“Raleigh Brewing Co. reached out and proactively connected us with Lenovo, and it was a perfect fit. It’s a joy to work with like-minded partners and communities that come together to create opportunities for people to give back. Breweries across the country who want to get involved similarly can seek out partners like Lenovo, who intentionally create space for community wellness in their business model,” said Diana Hicks, Founder and Executive Director of Can’d Aid.
A brewery rooted in Raleigh
Founded in 2013, Raleigh Brewing Co. was created to “embrace the City of Oaks with every brew,” according to its website. Owner Kristie Nystedt made history as North Carolina’s first woman to own a brewery, building a business that celebrates Raleigh’s identity and supports its people. The brewery operates a 20-barrel and 3-barrel brewhouse with 32 taps pouring seven days a week. It also works alongside its sister companies — Atlantic Brew Supply and ABS Commercial — supporting homebrewers and professional brewers across the country. Raleigh Brewing now distributes to more than 1,000 accounts throughout the Triangle region and Wilmington.
Giving back through beer
Partnerships like this bike build show the deeper role craft breweries play beyond their brewhouses. Raleigh Brewing used its space, beer, and community ties to help local children gain the freedom of two wheels. From raising a pint to raising bikes, this collaboration proves once again how craft brewers drive connection and generosity — one pour, one pedal, and one good deed at a time.
