'Coral Haze' beer will benefit coral conservation efforts

TAMPA (FOX 13) - Brewing beer is the latest way to help save Florida’s endangered coral reefs. Coppertail Brewing Co. and Florida Aquarium have partnered to create the “Coral Haze,” which debuts on May 11, and will be served at the Tampa-based brewery until it’s gone.

Florida has the world’s third largest coral reef system, which is home to 1,400 species of plants and animals, as well as 500 fish species. But scientists say half of it has disappeared.

Meghan Fellner, the aquarium’s digital media specialist, said they have been trying to reproduce corals that would eventually be transported into the wild down in the Florida Keys. Any amount of money will help with the effort, she says. For each pint that is sold, $1 will be donated to their conservation work.

“Corals are the base of the ecosystem,” Fellner explained while on Good Day Tampa Bay. “Without them, fish lose a lot of areas to hide in, food and a lot of oxygen too.” 

The aquarium reached out to Coppertail Brewing about forming a partnership, and there was no hesitation.

“Anything we can do to help the water around Tampa,” said Sam Bips, a brand ambassador with the brewery, “We’ll do everything we can do to help.” 

Two more collaboration beers will be brewed in the future, focusing on shark and sea turtle conservation.