Central College released Forever Dutch Lager Friday. Central is the first private college in Iowa to partner with a local brewery to offer a signature craft beer.

With Forever Dutch lager, 15% of sales will go toward the Journey Scholarship Fund. This collaborative effort brings together a local brewery, Gezellig Brewing Co. in Newton, owned by Betsy Duffy and Mindi Vanden Bosch, and a local business partner, Pella Hops Co. owned by BJ Stokesbary, to support a common goal.

“As a college, we continuously explore options to raise funds from a variety of sources. Our decision to partner with local businesses opens a new pathway to generate support for our Journey Scholarship Fund,” says Sunny Gonzales Eighmy, vice president for advancement and a 1999 graduate of Central. “For the past two years, Central has made a commitment to give all new incoming students a Journey Scholarship and our generous donors help make sure those students to continue to receive a Journey Scholarship each year they are at Central.”

“We’ve received a great response from alumni who want to purchase it while supporting the Journey Scholarship. The Forever Dutch lager resonates well with our Central family,” Eighmy says.

Forever Dutch first will be available at Central’s fall Homecoming celebration. The beer will be available in Pella area restaurants and stores Homecoming weekend, beginning Friday, Sept. 29.