Tuscapalooza: As if You Needed an Excuse to Drink Beer

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All-You-Can-Eat crawfish for a cause.

The string of tornados that tore across the Southern states on April 27, 2011 inflicted damage comparable to a category-five hurricane. It killed more 300 people and left thousands more homeless. The impact was especially severe in Tuscaloosa, a tiny Alabama town completely decimated by a tornado that left a thick brown scar on the land so wide it was only visible with aerial photography. Upon surveying the aftermath in Tuscaloosa three days later, President Obama remarked, "I've never seen devastation like this."

The story has disappeared from the headlines, but the destruction has not. Luckily, you can help the people of Alabama - by drinking beer and eating crawfish.

This Sunday, May 22, Girls' Pint Out (yes, those lovely ladies of lager, those angels of ale) invite beer lovers of either sex to "Tuscapalooza", a day of beer, mudbugs, and live music at Firkn & Phoenix to benefit the victims of last month's tornadoes. Jennifer Litz, head of the Texas chapter of GPO called it, "A great excuse to drink craft beer," adding, "It's part of the craft beer community's DNA to help their fellow man. And what better way to do it than with revelry that goes to charity."

In addition to hosting the event, GPO is sponsoring both a bidding auction and a "free with admission" raffle for beer paraphernalia that includes one-of-a-kind T-shirts signed by Texas brewers, a "badass" gift basket from Saint Arnold Brewing Company, a spent grain purse and rare beer from Texas and beyond, including signed bottles of La Bestia from Ranger Creek Brewing in San Antonio.

The festivities kick off at 11 a.m. All proceeds from the entry fee ($20 for all-you-can-eat crawfish, a raffle ticket, music, and more) and 25 percent of Firkin & Phoenix's sales for the day will go to the UA Acts of Kindness Fund, directly benefiting the University of Alabama's relief efforts in Tuscaloosa.

Roll Tide, Roll!

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