Trail Angels are unknown hikers or people who live along a trail and leave help for weary thru-hikers in the form of food, water, or gear. According to seasoned thru-hikers, Trail Angels’ “gifts” appear when you least expect them, and they’re very much needed.

In a way, you can call Sly Fox Brewing Company trail angels when it released a beer in support of a beloved local trail.

Part wild, part paved, the Schuylkill River Trail, when complete, will wind its way along the banks of the river from Pottsville to Philadelphia. That’s a lot of trail to maintain.

The Schuylkill River National and State Heritage Area (SRHA) has been an advocate and caretaker of parts of the Schuylkill River Trail – a projected 130-mile, multi-use stretch that is part of the East Coast Greenway – since it opened for public use.

On March 18, SRHA hosts its annual dinner, “An Evening for the Schuylkill River,” and will present Sly Fox Brewing Company, which has locations in both Phoenixville and Pottstown, with a Schuylkill River Legacy Award.

Two years ago, the brewery released SRT Ale, a lower-alcohol seasonal beer as a tribute to the trail. The creative product release was chronicled by two brewery representatives who traveled the entire trail on foot and using kayaks, bicycles, and horses. Along the way, they delivered the new beer to pre-planned party stops, and organized a series of trail clean-ups.

The successful event led to the SRT Spree, an annual SRT party that celebrates the trail and the Earth Day release of SRT Ale. Additionally, a portion of the sales of all SRT Ale are donated to SRHA.