Bingo: Dark Sky Brewing Company Puts the Fun in Fundraising

Every Monday night, Dark Sky Brewing Company hosts Bingo games and donates 100% of the proceeds to a nonprofit organization. In July, the establishment at 103 W. Birch Ave. in downtown Flagstaff chose the Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition.

“We raised $1,100 to help sponsor the Dark Sky Party that happens this month,” said Dark Sky Brewing Company Community Outreach Manager Stephanie Johnson.

As the name implies, Dark Sky Brewing (DSB) is a big fan and supporter of Flagstaff’s extraordinarily dark, starry nights. The business partnered with the Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition and Arizona Nordic Village in September 2022 to host Flagstaff Dark Skies: An Evening of Awareness & Awe with Legendary Egyptian Archeologist Dr. Zahi Hawass.

“It’s events like these that really allow us to get involved in the community and support our dark-sky partners,” said Johnson. “We love hosting different astronomers and telescope viewing events outside at the DSB Beer Garden throughout the year. We’ll be hosting one of these events in late October, which will be highlighting Flagstaff Dark Skies and the effects of lighting in our Dark Sky Community here in Flagstaff.”

Dark Sky Brewing will be promoting dark-sky friendly light fixtures along with information about different residential lighting options and ways to minimize light pollution. In addition, the Coalition will provide telescope viewing outside in the Dark Sky Brewing Company beer garden.

Dark Sky Brewing Company was founded in 2014 by Ryan and Larami Sandlin, named in honor of its home in the world’s First International Dark Sky City. “Dark Sky Brewing is crafting a beer selection that is as unique and beautiful as every star, comet and planet we can see while stargazing from our beautiful backyard,” said Larami.

In 2021, the business founded the Dark Sky Community nonprofit organization to raise funds and awareness for Arizona nonprofit organizations. Since then, Dark Sky Community has raised more than $500,000.

During the Coalition’s Celebration of the Night, September through mid-October, Dark Sky Brewing Company will be donating 10% of the sales from its craft brew Quiet Life – Hazy Pale Ale directly to the Coalition.

“We are committed to making our home a better place by giving back,” said Johnson. “Having a dark sky is important for astronomical research, ecology and even the human circadian rhythm!”

For these reasons and more, the 80-member Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition is honoring Dark Sky Brewing Company as this month’s Flagstaff Dark Skies Champion. For more information about events during Celebration of the Night, now through mid-October, and the Flagstaff Star Party, Sept. 26-28 at Buffalo Park, visit FlagstaffDarkSkies.org. FBN

Courtesy Photo: The Dark Sky Brewing Company’s Beer Garden on its patio in downtown Flagstaff is a common site for star parties as astronomers bring high-powered telescopes to explore the universe with residents and visitors.