Raise a Glass for a Great Cause

Published by Kirby Winn on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 in News Releases

This fall, patrons of Obed & Isaac’s Brewery will have the opportunity to raise a glass for a great cause. The central Illinois brewery, with locations in Peoria and Springfield, has created “Bloodline Wheat” to lift up the lifesaving importance of blood and platelet used with pediatric cancer patients while they are undergoing treatment. The brewery will donate a portion of the beer sales of Bloodline Wheat to the OSF HealthCare Foundation in support of OSF HealthCare Children's Hospital of Illinois Blood & Disorders Institute.

The idea for “Bloodline Wheat,” a blood orange wheat ale, came from Kristina Bentz, who serves on the ImpactLife Associate Board in central Illinois and whose son, Ian, has received multiple blood and platelet transfusions during his treatment for cancer. Much of Ian’s treatment has taken place at OSF HealthCare Children's Hospital of Illinois Blood & Disorders Institute. While in Peoria to receive care, the Bentz family has often enjoyed meals and family time at Obed & Isaac's.

Ian the Cancer Wrangler & Racing for a Cause: learn about community support for Ian Bentz through the Cancer Wrangler 500 Blood Drive.

RELEASE PARTY EVENTS SET FOR SATURDAY, OCT. 4

Obed & Isaac’s locations in Peoria and Springfield will host release parties for the new beer beginning at 5 p.m. on Saturday, October 4. All are invited to try “Bloodline Wheat” for the first time and enjoy live music by Matt Eckberg (Peoria) and Micah Walk (Springfield).

• Obed & Isaac’s Peoria location: 321 NE Madison Ave., Peoria
• Obed & Isaac’s Springfield location:  500 S. 6th Street, Springfield

SUPPORTING THE CAUSE THROUGH BLOOD DONATION + “GOOD GIVING”

In addition to donating a portion of beer sales to the OSF Healthcare Foundation, Obed & Isaacs is also promoting a monthlong blood drive taking place at the ImpactLife Donor Center locations in Springfield and Peoria throughout the month of October. Beginning Saturday, October 4, when “Bloodline Wheat” will be available for the first time, donors are invited to give blood at the ImpactLife Springfield or Peoria Donor Centers and to credit their donation to the Obed & Isaac’s blood drive. Blood donors can also contribute financially to the OSF Healthcare Foundation through ImpactLife’s “Good Giving” initiative.

To book an appointment for blood donation, call (800) 747-5401, text LIFESAVER to 999-777, or schedule online at www.bloodcenter.org or via the ImpactLife mobile app (www.bloodcenter.org/app).

GOOD GIVING: HOW IT WORKS

Under the Good Giving program, donors can choose from a list of thousands of charitable organizations and make a financial impact with the value of their ImpactLife donor reward. 

Good Giving is a component of the blood center’s Donor For Life rewards program. After each donation, blood donors receive an email with the subject line “Your Recent Donation” within 48 hours. The message includes a link to order a thank you gift, which can come in the form of an electronic gift card, points to use in the Donor Rewards Store, or the opportunity to make a charitable donation. Donors who select the Good Giving option receive information on how to select their charity. All 501(c)(3) organizations are available to choose, and the amount of the donor's contribution is based on donation frequency.

ABOUT OBED & ISAAC’S MICROBREWERY

Obed & Isaac’s Microbrewery is a Central Illinois destination for craft beer, great food, and unique settings. With locations in Springfield and Peoria, guests enjoy signature dishes, house-brewed craft beer, and year-round events. Family-friendly, pet-friendly, and community-focused, Obed & Isaac’s offers memorable experiences for every occasion. For more information, visit www.obedandisaacs.com and find Obed & Isaac’s on Facebook and Instagram. 

ABOUT IMPACTLIFE

ImpactLife is a nonprofit, independent, community blood center founded in 1974 that provides lifesaving blood products and services to more than 130 hospitals and emergency medical service providers in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin. ImpactLife is one of the top 12 blood providers in the U.S. supporting the needs of patients, hospitals, EMS partners, and medical researchers throughout the country. The blood center’s mission is supported by more than 200,000 volunteer blood donations each year. For more information, see www.bloodcenter.org and find us @impactlifeblood on Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

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