Local Beer Insider Jake McCluskey to Run from SJ to SF for a Good Cause

Jake McCluskey takes on a challenger in chess at the Strike Brewing Company warehouse taproom in San Jose
Jake McCluskey takes on a challenger in chess at the Strike Brewing Company warehouse taproom in San Jose

Local resident – and all-around good guy – Jake McCluskey is a fixture in the San Jose beer scene. He has worked at a number of popular beer establishments, including Kelly’s LiquorsMarket Beer Co. and ISObeers, and currently works as taproom manager and assistant brewer at Strike Brewing Company.

Many are drawn to his enthusiasm, big heart and down-to-earth vibe, and if there is something happening in the South Bay beer scene, it is very likely that Jake already knows about it.

A little over a week ago, Jake shared on Facebook his intentions to do something special for this year’s Father’s Day on June 21, which happens to also fall on his birthday – to run 50 miles from Good Karma Artisan Ales & Café in downtown San Jose (37 S. 1st St.) to Cellarmaker Brewing Company in San Francisco (1150 Howard St.).

[Update from Jake on May 15, 2015: Just a quick update on KarmaMaker. The original plan was to run from SJ to SF, but for several reasons I’ve decided to start in SF and finish in SJ. I will be leaving Cellarmaker when they close at 11pm on Saturday June the 20th. I plan to get up there around 7pm and hang out for a bit. If you can come hang out before I bounce that would be rad. Thank you Connor and crew for the hospitality. So I hope to be hitting San Jose and Good Karma between 9am and 11am. Ryan and his amazing staff have agreed to open early at 9am and host what should be one hell of a party. Thank you everyone for your support and sorry for any confusion.]

His main goal is to help raise money and awareness for the Silicon Valley Children’s Fund. A fundraising page titled “KarmaMaker” has been set up on Razoo to collect donations and currently stands at $295. Of note, the Sobrato Foundation will match donations dollar for dollar. For video of Jake discussing the upcoming run, click here.

More from the KarmaMaker Facebook event page:

This Father’s Day, June 21, [Jake] will attempt 50 miles going from Good Karma Artisan Ales & Cafe in San Jose to the Cellarmaker Brewing Company in San Francisco. Why? He is raising money for the Silicon Valley Children’s Fund.

The Silicon Valley Children’s Fund is an exceptional organization that helps the foster youth of Santa Clara County become successful and self-sustaining adults. You can participate in transforming their lives by providing funding for scholarships, mentoring and incidentals such as meals, school supplies, college applications and bus passes.

To offer your support go to: http://svgives.razoo.com/story/Karmamaker or call Malisa Barklay of the Silicon Valley Children’s Fund at 408.484.6200. The Sobrato Foundation will match your donation dollar for dollar!

Jake grew up without a father and this year Father’s Day also lands on this birthday. He wants to do something positive to commemorate the occasion. So he’ll run/walk/crawl with a goal of 10 hours at 12 minutes a mile. Be there for Jake and Silicon Valley foster kids. Help make Jake’s Day a runaway success!

April 27, 2015: Jake McCluskey to Run for a Good Cause

[This post was shared on Examiner.com.]