Glasgow musician Kenny Lee Roberts has teamed up with female run, Hidden Lane Brewery to produce and sell his own beer, Hardwired Lager – and is donating every penny to the Homeless Project Scotland.
Kenny is covering all the production costs himself, so it’s not just the profits he’s handing over - it’s the full amount of every single sale.
Kenny is donating all the money raised by selling the beer to Homeless Project Scotland, which has been desperately battling to feed more and more people every week, while campaigning to secure a building for improved safety for those they look after.
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Kenny said: "We all have to do something to help. We just do. Reading the stories about what the team from Homeless Project Scotland do is inspiring and horrifying all at the same time.
“I can’t believe this is happening – that this is life in our city, our country, in 2023 for so many people.
“I have kids, I have a wife. So to see families, kids, queueing up for a hot meal… it’s heart-breaking.”
Kenny worked with the in-house team at the Brewery to come up with a beer inspired by his music, which combines Americana and Northern Soul, along with his uniquely out there sense of humour.
So there are American and British hops in there, all brewed in Scotland – just like Kenny’s music, Trans-Atlantic elements blended in Glasgow.
“It was a really interesting process. They then went off and brewed it all up and the results are amazing – I’m delighted with it.
“I never thought I would have my own beer – or that doing something like this could hopefully have an impact in raising money and more importantly awareness of this brilliant charity and the work they do every single day.
“If ever there was a chance to have a guilt-free beer or two, this is it.”
The big-hearted singer first discovered Hidden Lane Brewery when he played a showcase there last year.
He loved the unique feel of the place, and the fact it is a female-run, vegan and fully organic brewery in a traditionally male industry. Just like Kenny himself, it’s that bit quirky.
Kenny said: “As soon as I saw the place, I knew I had to do something there. It’s such a special space.
“Tucked down this lane – hard to find funny enough – and everyone at the show loved it.
“I tried the beers, tried them again, and spent a long time talking with Rachel and the team about
doing something good for charity.
“I’m horrified by the homelessness crisis, as we all are, and actually on the way to a beer planning meeting at the brewery I drove past Heileman’s umbrella – and it just clicked.
“I’d seen stories about the great work Homeless Project Scotland are doing and thought – that’s it.
“We spoke to our friends at McChuills who work closely with HPS, got together with Homeless Project Scotland and it all just came together – in fact we have a wee surprise involving McChuills coming soon to help the cause too.
“I intend this to be the first of many ventures we work with Homeless Project Scotland on.
“I know some people may think it seems off to donate money from beer sales to a homeless charity where a lot of people may have been impacted by alcohol – but I like the idea of making things positive.
“It is just about doing some good. As long as the charity are happy, why should anyone else have an issue with it?
Which they certainly are, in fact Colin McInnes, who founded and runs the outfit which feeds hundreds of people in the heart of Glasgow, admits he was touched when he heard about Kenny’s idea.
Colin, of Homeless Project Scotland, said: “We were blown away by the generosity of Kenny when he got in touch through our mutual friends at McChuills.
“He just wants to help us, he hasn’t asked us to promote music or anything, he just wants to do something good.
“He asked would we be ok with money from a beer but if anything, it’s a good thing – alcohol has done damage to many, here it is doing a lot of good.
“Thank you Kenny, Hidden Lane Brewery and McChuills for your support. It’s amazing to know people are paying attention and not just driving on by.”
Rachel Suttle of Hidden Lane Brewery said: “We loved Kenny’s idea of producing a beer to help such an amazing cause – the charity is a really special one and he’s been incredibly generous.
“The most important thing is the good that will come of this collaboration for Homeless Project Scotland and we are very proud to be part of it all.
“So whether you buy a beer or two, donate some clothes or even volunteer some time, please do help out if you can.”
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