A portion of the sales from Fort Worth-based Rahr and Sons Brewing’s Rare Breed series will go to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation to benefit endangered species in Texas.

Blind Salamander Pale Ale, which debuted in 2008, was the first in the Rare Breed series. The English pale ale’s name is a tribute to the rare cave-dwelling amphibian, a native to the San Marcos Pool in the Edwards Aquifer.

Rahr managing partner Tony Formby said the brewery doesn’t advertise, but has a large open house every Saturday that usually draws upwards of 500 people. Each week they highlight a non-profit community organization at the event.

Proceeds and beer for fundraisers will benefit various groups. “Because we are a small brewery, and because we don’t have the marketing dollars and resources that big beer companies has, we really had to rely on the support of the community to grow,” Formby said. “So it’s kind of been a process where we’ve really become involved in a number of community affairs.”

Right now Rahr is self-distributing by driving a truck into Houston once a week, and are only available at Central Market. But they are focusing on bringing their product to more stores and bars, and have a sales representative stationed in Houston.

Formby said hand-crafted artisan Texas beers are growing in popularity, but big breweries are taking note, mimicking their form and leveraging their marketing resources. “But there is still room for guys like us, which is good…” Formby said. “These species have a lot in common with Texas brewers in that we are both endangered.”