A few farmers in Central Minnesota will get a hoppy reward for their clean-water efforts

Third Street Brewhouse is offering free six-packs of their Rise to the Top Cream Ale to certain farmers whose practices are certified by the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program. Farmers eligible for the free beer must be in the Middle Sauk River pilot area.

The brewery gets water from the Cold Spring Wellhead protection area, the land surrounding the source of drinking water for the town. It has seen increased levels of nitrates in recent years.

The brewery has given beer to about 10 farmers so far, said Doug DeGeest, vice president and general manager.

"It's not a huge gift but it's something we can do to show our concern and our interest," DeGeest said.