Raft
Alvarado Street Brewery

Along our stretch of coastline, sea otters do more than just float. They gather in rafts, drifting together through kelp forests while quietly protecting one of the most important ecosystems in the ocean. By keeping sea urchin populations in check, they help preserve the balance that allows these underwater forests to thrive here in the Monterey Bay.

Raft was brewed with that in mind. A 5.2% West Coast Pilsner that’s crisp, bright, and reflective of the place we call home.

Shaped in collaboration with the folks at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, this release shines a light on their ongoing work in sea otter research, rescue, and rehabilitation. Through their Sea Otter Program, they care for stranded pups, raise them through a first-of-its-kind surrogacy program, and return them to the wild to help rebuild the population and restore coastal ecosystems.

That same level of intention carried through the packaging. Each 6-pack was hand-packed by our team using compostable, biodegradable holders, offering an alternative to our traditional recyclable plastic and supporting efforts to reduce ocean-bound waste.

The artwork for Raft was created by Santa Cruz-based artist Wyatt Hersey, whose background in wildlife biology informs his work and brings an added level of depth to the project. His approach draws from the natural world, helping translate the spirit of this collaboration into something visual and grounded in both place and purpose.