Extinguishing a rapidly expanding conflagration is no easy task. Once started, a blazing inferno can engulf an area of trees or homes in a matter of minutes, converting once beautiful countryside into a heap of smoldering waste. The brave men and women who fight these blazes are true heroes and their efforts cannot be applauded enough by the much appreciative public.
Fighting fires is difficult and unpredictable, but one pair of California firefighters have taken their dedication to protecting the citizenry and turned it in an entirely new direction. The firefighters are Rob Nowaczyk and Ed Walker and their present venture is Firemans Brew, a California- based craft brewery.
From Flaming Hillsides to Brew Kettles
Nowaczyk and Walker are no strangers to facing challenges so the prospect of operating a successful brewery probably didn’t worry them too much. The idea to open a brewery struck the two heroes in 2000 after battling a California brush fire. Once their work was through, the two men had one common thought on their minds: Quenching their collective thirst with a delicious craft beer. A short time later, Firemans Brew was born.
Firemans Brew presently produces three different beers: Brunette Doppelbock, Blonde Pilsner, and Redhead Amber Ale. I had the pleasure of sampling this trio of craft beers and I liked each of them for different reasons. The Redhead, with its toasted malt and caramel taste, was my favorite of the three but each had its own unique appeal. Depending on individual tastes, everyone will find a Firemans Brew to their liking. And if you’re also a fan of other beverages, well, you’re in luck because Firemans Brew also sells its own coffee and crafted soft drinks, making it one of the few craft breweries to offer three different beverages.
Giving Back
Rob Nowaczyk and Ed Walker know what firefighters go through and they know well the potential dangers that other firefighters face each day. To show their support, a portion of all sales revenue goes to support the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Whether you purchase beer, coffee, soft drinks, t- shirts, glassware, or anything else from Firemans Brew, you can feel comfort knowing that a portion of your money will support the families of those firefighters who perished and keep their memory alive.
Battle Your Thirst…and Win!
Firemans Brew is a unique business and one that I hope other breweries emulate. It’s common for craft breweries to work with charitable organizations and support local communities, but Firemans Brew takes the idea of philanthropy to a new level by donating a portion of every single sale to its designated charity.
It takes a great effort, both physically and mentally, to battle a towering blaze. Rob Nowaczyk and Ed Walker know well the challenges and risks that firefighters face each day and with Firemans Brew, they hope to replicate their triumphs battling California fires with their efforts to bring excellent craft beer, coffee, and soda into the homes of American’s everywhere. If their three introductory craft beers are any indication, Nowaczyk and Walker are poised for a successful future, extinguishing thirsts just as effectively as they once smothered flames in the California countryside.
great! and very good taste of fireman brew