What is the Pink Whistle beer made in Delta and Port Moody?

Karn Dhillon speaks of “layers” when he talks about his Pink Whistle Legacy Fund campaign.

Sixteen years ago, the Ladner resident launched the initiative for the BC Cancer Foundation after his sister, nephew and a fellow basketball referee died early from the disease.

Dhillon and his team raised funds first by selling pink referee whistles before another layer was added to the drive: pink lanyards.

Soon, referees around B.C and Alberta were sporting pink- and black-striped shirts on their courts in February — another visual effort to build awareness for cancer research and patient support.

And, last year, with the help of his friends at Four Winds Brewing in Delta and Parkside Brewing in Port Moody, which is co-owned by Sam Payne (a basketball player who Dhillon reffed at Kitsilano Secondary and at Capilano University), the Pink Whistle campaign got yet another boost when they produced a pink pale ale for the cause.

Today, Feb. 7, the two craft breweries are out with their second limited-edition beer collaboration for Pink Whistle — this time featuring a Cherry Berliner Weisse that will help Dhillon and his BC Basketball Officials Association team reach their $300,000 mark.

Brewed with cherries and Himalayan pink salt, and packed with a sour twist, the Pink Whistle suds can be tasted at the two breweries and local eateries until Feb. 28; as well, $4 from every four-pack sold will be donated to the foundation.

Residents who want to support the Pink Whistle campaign but don’t drink beer can visit the group’s donation page on the BC Cancer Foundation website.

On Sunday, Feb. 9, the Pink Whistle team will be at Parkside Brewery (2731 Murray St., Port Moody) to promote the beer and the initiative. As well, Dhillon will be at New Westminster Secondary on Tuesday, Feb. 11 to promote Pink Whistle at a 7 p.m. game at the high school.

“It’s not just the referees who are doing this. It’s the entire basketball community,” Dhillon told the Tri-City News today, Feb. 7, adding, “We try to make the campaign fun by saying you can ‘Come Wet Your Whistle’ with this beer and ‘Call a Foul on Cancer.’ We don’t want people booing us all the time because refs are a family on the court and off the court. And we have a common goal to fight cancer.”

A former sales rep for the radio stations KISS FM, News 1130, JRFM and The Peak, Dhillon said last year’s small beer batch brought in $1,300 for Pink Whistle.

This year, Dhillon is dedicating the 16th annual drive to his late niece and sister-in-law, who have also died from cancer in the past 18 months.

Though hard to talk about his familial and co-worker losses from cancer, Dhillon said he finds relief when discussing the topic with others.

“It’s very therapeutic because you find people who have also gone through a cancer journey,” he said. “It’s a silver lining that reminds us to keep doing this. I’m very, very proud of the entire basketball community who has rallied and has understood the impact of this disease.”

Meanwhile, Four Winds and Parkside are giving away $700 in gift cards to one contest winner this month in support of the Pink Whistle Legacy Fund and the BC Cancer Foundation. To enter, contestants must be at least 19 years old and need to: