"In 2016, we created a beer to give back to the city that gave everything to us. Our vision for a philanthropic beverage became City Wide. This beer is our voice, our change agent in the community and our badge of honor. We see City Wide as collaborating with everyone who claims they're 'from St. Louis and for St. Louis,'" states Kevin Lemp, 4 Hands Brewing Company president/CEO since June 2011.
Kevin says he wanted to build a strong foundation before leaping into starting his own brewing company, so he spent a decade at Gallo Winery, working from sales representative up to state manager of Missouri. "I challenged myself to learn every facet of the industry. I'm hyper-passionate about craft beer; I often joked flannel was more my wardrobe than a suit and tie," he quips.
"I fell in love with the category’s positioning, the full flavor, whimsical approach and opportunity to build a brand that stood for more than just beer. I used that decade of experience to build 4 Hands Brewing Company."
City Wide American Pale Ale launched April 11, 2016, as a philanthropic initiative to support St. Louis-based nonprofits by donating a portion of proceeds from every case sold. Now in the initiative's 10th anniversary year, the 4 Hands staff and supporters are raising funds for five 2026 charities: Make-A-Wish Missouri & Kansas; Promo Missouri; LaSalle Park Community Association, International Institute of St. Louis and Pedal The Cause.
"City Wide's the most important decision we've ever made as a company. Our goal was to build a thoughtful brand focused on community. We spent six months laboring over every detail to ensure it was executed perfectly," he says.
He often calls City Wide not a 4 Hands brand, but a St. Louis brand!
"I'm incredibly proud of the hard work our team dedicated to this initiative and the relationships we've built. I look forward to when that donation number hits $1 million. These aren't just transactions; they're forever partnerships," he states.
Kevin says since 2016, the initiative has provided $450,000-plus to 35 charities; that long, varied list:
- Cherokee Street’s Love Bank Park (2016).
- Grace Hill Settlement House (2016).
- Great Rivers Greenway (2016).
- The International Institute for Strategic Studies (2017).
- Big Brothers Big Sisters (2017).
- LaSalle Park (2017).
- KDHX (2017).
- Unleashing Potential (2018).
- St. Louis Public Radio (2018).
- Tower Grove Park (2018).
- Hope For Young Adults With Cancer (2018).
- Mission: St. Louis (2019).
- Kids Vision for Life St. Louis (2019).
- Forest Park Forever (2019).
- The Ollie Hinkle Heart Foundation (2019).
- SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation (2020).
- Open Spaces Council (2020).
- Casa STL (2020).
- The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (2020).
- Ronald McDonald House (2021).
- Missouri Forest Releaf (2021).
- Safe Connections (2021).
- Home Sweet Home (2021).
- Boys Hope Girls Hope St. Louis (2022).
- Trout Unlimited (2022).
- Paraquad (2022).
- Strange Cares (2022).
- City League (2023).
- LaSalle Park (2023).
- RETAF (2023).
- Kranzberg Arts Foundation (2023).
- Kranzberg Arts Foundation (2024).
- SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation (2024).
- LaSalle Park (2024).
- Pedal The Cause (2024).
- Pedal The Cause (2025).
- Regional Arts Commission (2025).
- LaSalle Park (2025).
- Mission: St. Louis (2025).
Kevin's relationship with Pedal The Cause became extremely meaningful. During his own treatment for cancer, Pedal the Cause was a light at the tunnel's end; it gave him something to look forward to and a reason to stay active. "That first race was an emotional day, riding with loved ones and experiencing the participants' collective joy and grief. Seeing the immense support was incredible, and Pedal The Cause will always have a very special place in my heart."