There’s a moment I come back to again and again: the end of a day outside. Boots off, shoulders a little sore, the kind of tired that only comes from moving through the woods or along a ridgeline. You look around, and whether you’re with longtime friends or people you just met that day, there’s a shared sense of we did this.
That feeling, of connection, of belonging, is what we set out to capture with Grow Outdoors, our new partnership with Sloop Brewing Co.
From the beginning, this partnership was grounded in shared purpose. We set out to create something that lives within the outdoor experiences we value most, something that brings people together while also supporting the work to protect and sustain those places for the long term.
Grow Outdoors isn’t just something you enjoy after a day outside. It’s part of a larger story about community, stewardship, and belonging.
To learn more about how Grow Outdoors came to life, I spoke with Sloop founder Adam Watson about the brewery’s roots, the inspiration behind the beer, and what this partnership means.
Tell me a little bit about Sloop. How did you get your start? What makes you excited about the work you do?
Sloop started the same way a lot of good things do: small, scrappy, and driven by passion. We founded the brewery in 2011, brewing out of a garage in Poughkeepsie and selling beer at local farmers markets around the Hudson Valley. What still excites me most is that we get to build community through beer. At its best, beer is social, welcoming, and part of people’s real lives. Whether you’re embarking on a backyard hang, a concert, or a post-hike pint, Sloop has a beer that’s a perfect fit. That’s always been the heart of Sloop: making great beer that people actually want to drink and share.
Why did Sloop choose to partner with AMC?
AMC felt like a really natural fit for us because the values line up in a real way. They’ve spent 150 years helping people connect with the outdoors while protecting the places that make those experiences possible. That mission is something we genuinely admire. AMC highlights that its partners help sustain programs, advocacy, and outdoor engagement, so this wasn’t just about slapping two logos on a can, it was about working with an organization that’s doing meaningful work. For us, the best partnerships are built around shared purpose. We wanted to create something that celebrates adventure and community, but also gives back. Grow Outdoors does that in a tangible way, with a portion of proceeds supporting AMC’s mission. That made this collaboration feel bigger than beer.
Tell me about Grow Outdoors. As someone who loves a good beer after a big hike or paddle, I get why a juicy IPA would appeal to the outdoor community. But what makes it special? What inspired you when you started brewing?
What makes Grow Outdoors special is that it was designed to complement the adventure, not dominate it. We wanted a beer that feels right after a hike, paddle, or long day outside: flavorful enough to be interesting, but approachable enough that you want another sip. It has that bright, juicy character people love from Sloop, but in a lighter, more easygoing format that fits spring and summer really well.
From the start, the inspiration was simple: make a beer that feels like the outdoors. Fresh, bright, easy to enjoy, and best when shared. We weren’t trying to make something overly technical or overbuilt. We wanted something that could live equally well at the trailhead, around a campfire, or back at home with friends after a day outside. And the fact that it supports AMC makes every can feel like it has a little extra purpose behind it.
So, how are you going to enjoy this beer? What’s your outdoor activity of choice?
This is a classic “earned it” beer. I’d reach for it after a long hike, sitting outside with friends, ideally still a little dusty and tired in the best possible way. There’s something about that first cold beer after being out all day that just hits different.
Hiking is probably my go-to, especially any of the scenic trails in the Hudson Highlands. Hiking is a great opportunity to unplug, and has that perfect mix of effort, scenery, and reward at the end. Grow Outdoors feels built for that exact ritual.
Do you have a favorite place to explore outdoors?
Being based in the Hudson Valley, I’m always going to have a soft spot for this region. There’s so much access to incredible trails, rivers, overlooks, and small towns that all feel connected to the kind of community we care about at Sloop.
Anything else you want to say?
At the end of the day, I hope Grow Outdoors reminds people that great beer can do more than taste good. It can bring people together, celebrate the places we love, and help protect them too.
