This quarter’s Changemaker Spotlight shines brightly on a man and business who has been monumental in supporting the mission of the Aurora Integrated Oncology Foundation (AIOF) and our community partners in cancer screening. He embodies the true Caregiver Spirit.
From its humble beginnings in 2006, Kenai River Brewing (KRB) has always had a heart for serving its community. What started as a small dream among three home-brewing partners has grown into a cornerstone business on the Kenai Peninsula.
Doug Hogue, one of the three founding partners, arrived in Alaska with a teaching degree in his back pocket and a thirst for adventure. He began his Alaskan journey teaching in Hooper Bay, where he fell in love with the state, its people, and met his wife. In 2000, the Hogues moved to the Kenai Peninsula, where Doug continued teaching in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District and earned his master’s degree in Special Education.
In 2006, Doug and his partners officially launched Kenai River Brewing with a shared mission: to combine their passion for craft beer with a commitment to community. During those early days, all three partners maintained their day jobs to keep KRB afloat—but they never wavered in their dedication to giving back. From supporting Tsalteshi Trails and the Kenai Peninsula Orchestra to partnering with Casting for Recovery, community involvement has always been at the core of KRB’s identity.
One of Doug’s personal passions is the Backyard Ultra, a “last-person-standing” ultramarathon he helped bring to Alaska. In this endurance challenge, runners complete a 4.167-mile loop every hour on the hour, continuing until only one runner remains—a true testament to persistence and heart.
This past September, Doug and the KRB team extended that same spirit of service by hosting the first-ever “Beer for My Boys” Prostate Screening Event, in partnership with AIOF, AK Men’s Run, and Central Peninsula Hospital (CPH). KRB’s hospitality went above and beyond—brewing a special beer just for the occasion and donating all proceeds to AK Men’s Run. They even served a spaghetti and meatBALLS special and transformed the brew room into a screening space where CPH staff conducted PSA blood draws.
In just two hours, 88 men were screened for prostate cancer—and each received a free beer to celebrate taking charge of their health.
Hogue shared, “The Beer for My Boys event went better than expected. We’re proud of what we do and are always looking to expand to other Alaskan breweries to host cancer screenings. It’s a win-win, really—give back to the community, and they’ll continue to give to you.”
KRB’s commitment to cancer awareness holds special meaning, as one of Doug’s partners, Wendy Dutcher, is herself a cancer survivor.
Thank you, Doug, the KRB staff, and partners, for your servant hearts and for hosting the first annual Beer for My Boys event. It’s businesses like yours that make a community stronger, healthier, and more connected.
