Raise a Glass To a Friend of Craft Beer On Sunday
Raise a glass on Sunday to a true friend of craft beer.
For more than 15 years, Toby Day made promoting craft beer his duty, tirelessly working with many of the most established and respected artisan breweries to help them reach out to a small but growing group of fans.
Toby’s home was in Eugene, Ore., where he could be closer to his two young children. The location sometimes meant long commutes for Toby so he could represent his beers at the big festivals and events. But for Toby, the commute didn’t matter; there were no borders in his world. Toby represented craft beers from across the country and around the world: Wolavers, Anderson Valley, Abita, Pyramid, Shelton Brothers Importers and Otter Creek, to name a few.
Toby’s passion for craft beer was always alive, with a twinkle in his eye as he poured you a sample of his newest brew he was excited about or passed along a sip of something special he had been hanging onto for the perfect occasion. Before it was cool to be “green,” Toby was promoting Wolavers organic beers with an understanding that far exceeded most people’s at the time about the importance of sustainable practices. Today, it’s easy being green; back then, it was not. Yet, Toby promoted this tiny, niche, organic beer in the small craft beer sector with an enthusiasm that was contagious.
Toby was always there to help out a fellow beer friend, and was known to reach out to assist a new beer representative and show him or her the ropes — even if that person might be considered his competition. Toby’s generosity with his time and energy was always appreciated, and he will be remembered for that, along with his enthusiasm, his constant professionalism, and his love for his family.
On Sunday, April 25, craft beer establishments from Eugene north to Portland and up to Seattle are honoring the life of Toby Day with special beers on tap. The proceeds from this “Toby Day Day” are earmarked specifically for Toby’s family to help them pay for outstanding medical and funeral expenses, and to assist with education for his daughter and son, 12 and 9, respectively.
But you don’t have to live in the Pacific Northwest to participate. If you have ever enjoyed a beer from any of those breweries listed above, please join us Sunday in raising a glass to a true friend of world-class beer and a world-class guy himself: Toby Day.
5 Comments to “Raise a Glass To a Friend of Craft Beer On Sunday”
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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jim Dean, RateBeer Hop Press. RateBeer Hop Press said: Fresh off the Press Raise a Glass To a Friend of Craft Beer On Sunday http://bit.ly/ctBF4Y [...]
Thanks for posting this Lisa, Toby was a very generous and passionate man.
[...] There will a chance to honor his memory on Sunday; you can read about why at her blog. [...]
[...] are moving quickly for Toby Day Day this coming Sunday, April 25. (See previous blog post for more [...]
[...] barleywine from a now-deceased brewer (Glen Faulconer) that recently-deceased beer promoter Toby Day had been saving for a special occasion. I’m sorry Toby wasn’t able to taste it, and [...]