Redhook Ale Brewery has teamed up with the Seattle Sounders FC to become its exclusive craft brewing partner. The three year long partnership kicks off this season.

“Partnering with our home team, the Seattle Sounders, seemed the perfect way to celebrate our 30^th birthday as Seattle’s original craft brewer,” said Robert Rentsch, brand manager for Redhook Ale Brewery. “We are psyched about the opportunity to give soccer fans the chance to root for their favorite team while drinking a great beer. We all know you can’t give your full 90 with a parched throat.”

Redhook Ale Brewery was established in 1981 in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood. The brewery has gone on to be recognized as a craft brewing pioneer with distribution throughout the U.S.  Maintaining its Pacific Northwest roots, Redhook’s West Coast brewery is located in Woodinville, Wash.

About Redhook

Redhook was born out of the energy and spirit of the early 80’s in the heart of Seattle. While the term didn’t exist at the time, Redhook became one of America’s first “craft” breweries.  From a modest start in a former transmission shop in the Seattle neighborhood of Ballard, to the current breweries in Woodinville, Wash. and Portsmouth, N.H., Redhook has become one of America’s most recognized craft breweries.  While Redhook has “grown up” over the past 30 years, one thing has never changed – it’s still brewing great beers like ESB, Long Hammer IPA, Copperhook, and seasonal brews.  Most importantly, Redhook makes sure it has fun doing it.   Redhook’s beers are available in both draught and bottles and are distributed nationally through a network of wholesale distributors. For more information, visit www.redhook.com.

The private suite level at Safeco Field will now be known as the “Holland America Line Suite Deck.”  There will also be an annual Mariners-themed cruise onboard Holland America Line beginning in 2012, and a naming sponsorship for the annual Fan Appreciation Night, which is scheduled for Saturday, September 17. Per Seattle Mariners policy, no terms of the agreement will be released.

“Holland America Line matches up with the Seattle Mariners on so many levels.  It is a Northwest-based company with a record for giving back to the community, environmental stewardship and excellence in customer service.  We are happy to welcome Holland America Line to the Mariners Safeco Field lineup,” said Bob Aylward, Mariners Executive Vice President Corporate Business for the Seattle Mariners.

“We are pleased to partner with the Seattle Mariners, one of the country’s preeminent sports franchises,” said Richard Meadows, CTC, Executive Vice President, Marketing, Sales and Guest Programs, of Holland America Line.  “For our company, this is an ideal way to support an organization that brings so much to Seattle and to further our own philanthropic efforts by working together to make a difference.”

On Deck for the Cure

The Mariners and Holland America Line will partner on Mother’s Day in the Major League Baseball Honorary Bat Girl program.  As proud supporters of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Holland America Line and the Seattle Mariners will host 200 local breast cancer survivors and their families at Safeco Field on May 8, when the Mariners take on the Chicago White Sox. This annual program is part of MLB’s “Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer,” in conjunction with Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Louisville Slugger.

Holland America Line’s innovative “On Deck for the Cure” program – a non-competitive 5k fundraising walk held onboard over 500 cruises a year – has raised more than $2.5 million to fight breast cancer in less than five years.  Additionally, this summer Holland America Line will host the Komen Puget Sound Affiliate’s annual Survivor Celebration luncheon for 400 guests onboard one of their cruise ships for the fourth consecutive year.

Holland America Line Get Well Tours

Holland America Line will also be the presenting sponsor of the Seattle Mariners Get Well Tours, visits to area hospitals by Mariners players and the Mariner Moose at which children will receive photos and autographs and a Holland America Line-branded sports bag filled with Mariners and baseball-related items such as replica baseballs and a stuffed Moose doll.

Holland America Line Fan Appreciation Night

Holland America Line will be the presenting sponsor of the annual Fan Appreciation Night celebration at Safeco Field.  Scheduled for Saturday, September 17, Fan Appreciation Night is a celebration of the loyalty and support of Mariners fans with random drawings for prizes throughout the game.  As part of its sponsorship, Holland America Line will provide cruises to be given away on Fan Appreciation Night.

Components of the multi-year sponsorship agreement include:

• Presenting sponsor of out of town scores on Safeco Field’s new LED Out of Town Scoreboard,
• Prime advertising signage on the Out of Town Scoreboard (12’ 2” x 11’ 8” lighted “Built Ford Tough” sign on the right side of the scoreboard),
• One half inning per game on the home plate rotational signage,
• Title sponsor of the popular Hat Trick video board feature,
• Presenting sponsor for two weekend homestands during the season,
• Ford vehicle on display at Section 142 of the Main Concourse.

The Northwest Ford Dealers agreement also contains the first social media components of a sponsorship package for the Seattle Mariners.  Mariners pitcher Ryan Rowland-Smith and catcher Rob Johnson will drive various Ford vehicles over the course of the season.  Rowland-Smith, who has 5,215 followers on his Twitter feed http://twitter.com/hyphen18, will post comments about his driving experience.

“The Mariners and Ford have both been on a bit of a roll lately and this new partnership comes at a great time for both organizations.  We’re glad to welcome Ford to Safeco Field as one of our newest corporate sponsors,” said Bob Aylward, Executive Vice President Corporate Business, Seattle Mariners.

“As Chairman of the Northwest Ford Dealers I can say we are thrilled to be teamed with the Mariners.  It is a perfect union, the Mariners are coming off a great 2009, and have strengthened their lineup, as has Ford Motor Company.  We have quality that is second to none, and a lineup of vehicles that fit with the diversity of baseball fans.  From Hybrids, to family haulers, to work trucks, to horsepower, Ford has it all.  We are looking forward to a long partnership with the Mariners, and the first of many World Series crowns in 2010,” said D.J. Tapley, Skagit River Ford owner and Chairman of the Northwest Ford Dealers.

Fans will also get an up close experience with Ford products at 24 Mariners home games this season with the Street Team mobile multi-media exhibit.  The 40-foot long trailer, pulled by a Ford F-450, has computer kiosks with access to the Northwest Ford Stores website (www.compareford.com), two video gaming systems, flat-screen TV monitors and wheel and tire displays.  Each appearance by the Street Team will also feature 7-8 Ford vehicles all on display across from the Safeco Field Home Plate Gate for every Saturday and Sunday home game.