Craft brewers take a swing at Beer Wars boxing event

Walk by any craft beer tasting room, and along with the full-bodied ales, you'll be sure to see a whole lot of full-bodied beer drinkers as well.

Beer packs a big caloric punch and some of the bulging waistlines out there serve as proof. A 355 ml can of five per cent alcohol beer usually has about 150 calories.

But a seven per cent IPA common at craft breweries is closer to 210 calories.

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"We all sit around and drink a lot of beer. It's not exactly the healthiest industry in the world," Chris Bjerrisgard, co-founder of Vancouver Craft Beer Week, told On The Coast's Jeremy Allingham.

However, some people in the craft beer industry are fighting the unhealthy aspects of their line of work literally with a boxing event called Beer Wars, an event in which Bjerrisgard serves asorganizer.

Good for what 'ales' ya

Beer Wars is a boxing event that pits beer workers against each other in the ring, and raises money for the Eastside Boxing Club's Vancouver Roving Leaders Program, which benefits at-risk youth.

Bjerrisgard says the event is making a real difference in the community, and also for the health of beer enthusiasts.

"We've had great turnout and a lot of support," Bjerrisgard said. "I've heard of weight drops of 20 or 30-plus pounds already. Just getting some people who drink a lot of beer to get out and actively work on their health is always a good thing."

Ian Kampman of Brassneck Brewery, who is a contender at the event, says boxing helps him add balance to his life and the lives of his colleagues in the beer industry.

"There are some guys who are heavyweights here that are, like, 200-plus pounds, who you see doing crunches and things like that," he said. "They're moaning ... but they're getting through it, so it's really awesome to see these big guys are in here trying to shake [their weight] off."

The Beer Wars main event is open to the public at Caprice nightclub on Sunday, April 17 at 5 p.m.

With files from CBC Radio One's On The Coast