SPANISH FORT, Ala. — Mobile Baykeeper and Atlanta-based SweetWater Brewing Co. have joined forces to offer local residents and visitors a refreshing alternative for supporting cleanup efforts associated with the Deepwater Horizon oil rig disaster.

“Save the Gulf” kicks off Sunday at The Hangout in Gulf Shores with a benefit concert headlined by “Wet Willie” featuring “Jimmy Hall and the Hurricane Horns.”

The program, which will run through Labor Day, is a call-to-action for citizens—and beer lovers—eager to offset the oil spill’s impact on the environment, ecosystem and livelihoods of neighbors.

“SweetWater values more than just good beer and a good time. We believe protecting our environment has to be a top priority—not just for our company—but for everyone,” said owner Freddy Bensch.

In turn, 25 merchants across Baldwin and Mobile counties have signed on to date to support the cause and will be selling paper fish for as little as $1 to benefit Mobile Baykeeper’s efforts to address the spill’s local effects.

Mobile Baykeeper Executive Director Casi Callaway called the spill the “worst oil disaster we've ever seen in this country,” adding, “Its impact will be lasting, so we need all the support we can get to tackle this ecological and human tragedy. That is why we're excited to collaborate with such an environmentally-conscience company to raise much needed funds and create awareness for our mission.”

Created to protect the beauty, health and heritage of the Mobile Bay Watershed, Mobile Baykeeper adopted three primary goals to combat the spill:

*Protect the shoreline by working to stop the use of chemical dispersant, which drops the oil beneath the surface, making it difficult to protect our most sensitive areas; *Demand more information, including the sampling of air, land, water and impacted wildlife with “understandable results made publicly available immediately;” and *Organizing volunteers.

Bensch said SweetWater’s commitment to the cause extends further than the company’s traditional commitment to clean water initiatives across the Southeast.

“We’re fired up to support our partner, Mobile Baykeeper, and ready to contribute and hopefully help kick ass for this unbelievable issue,” Bensch said.

Want to go?

*What: “Save the Gulf” kickoff

*When: 4:20-11:59 p.m. Aug. 1

*Where: The Hangout, Gulf Shores

*Featuring: Wet Willie, Jimmy Hall and the Hurricane Horns and opening act, Wes Loper

*Cost: $10 (proceeds benefit Mobile Baykeeper)