This week in, The Brew! It has been one heck of a wild ride. We have seen devastating storms rip through the state destroying homes and taking lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of these tragedies. This week we hear a moving story of how beer saved a man’s life, we talk about a German celebration going on in Austin this weekend and lastly, we give ourselves some shameless self-promotion. Check out now in this week’s edition of, The Brew!
Austin – Some people live for great beer but in some case, that very same beer can save your life… Sort of. With the wicked weather that has battered Texas over the last week, many have lost their homes and valuables with nowhere to turn. It has been devastating to see the areas that were ravaged by Mother Nature. Forrest Rogness of Rogness Brewing Company posted on his Facebook page a story that a fan sent him on how their beer saved his life.
“Hello Rogness Brewing!
My name is Colin Iliff, I’m a resident of San Marcos, TX and your beer saved my life.
Now I know that may sound crazy, but let me explain. I was dogsitting at my aunt’s house along the Blanco river in Wimberley Saturday May 23, and had settled down with a bomber of your Beardy Guard while listening to the rain outside. The power had already gone out so I had been debating whether to just go to sleep or stay up to enjoy the beer. Naturally, I chose the latter. Throughout the evening I had heard about the threats of a flood but after several trips to check the river I was sure I would be high and dry. But about mid-bomber around 11:45 PM, I heard a faint but then intensified roar coming from the river, and poked my head out the door to see what was happening. Low and behold the river had risen 30 ft within half an hour, and was already heading towards the doorstep. I ran frantically around the house collecting expensive paintings, pictures, important documents, etc and threw them upstairs hoping they would be spared from the incoming surge, grab the two dogs I had been watching, ran out the door, and drove off. After driving up to the gate uphill from the house, I swung the car around to see where the water was, and right then a wall of mud, water, and trees (accompanied by a massive propane tank) slammed right into the house and the ground I had been minutes before. I found refuge in a kind neighbors house uphill and out of reach of the flood with a few other evacuees as we were trapped in that little stretch of neighborhood. The next morning after the flood subsided, I drove back to the house only to find… Nothing. The entire house, and all of it’s contents were gone. Swept downstream and littering the shore. I fell to my knees and sobbed my heart out, not only realizing that my aunt did not have a home to come back to, but because I was still alive. I had considered falling asleep, which surely would have left myself, scrappy, and Suzy (the two dogs I was watching), dead. But I was too excited to have a great cold brew, and I survived.
That’s my story of how a beer saved my life. But others in the area weren’t so lucky. Hundreds of people are left homeless and heartbroken. I ask if you take anything from this story, it’s that you spead the word that people in Wimberley and San Marcos need donations of food, water, clothing, blankets, etc. Send it to the Red Cross and Salvation Army in the area, and there are multiple drop off points in those towns.
Thanks again for great brews Rogness, I wouldn’t be here without em.
Much love,
Colin Iliff”
Our hearts go to those that were affected by the storms and the families of victims that lost their lives. As the weather continues to rage Texas please be safe. There are plenty of organizations that are in need of donations so please consider giving back to the local community.
Austin – This weekend it will seem like Oktoberfest in Austin but nein, it is time for the annual Maifest. Rock out in your favorite lederhosen and head out for an afternoon of polka, food and German-style beers brewed by local breweries. Adelbert’s, Saint Arnold, Austin Beerworks and Live Oak are just a few of the breweries that are participating in this great event. Tickets are still on sell but this event tends to sell out so get your tickets now. For tickets and more information, please click here.
Texas – In the sport of shameless self-promotion, I am excited to announce that my book “Beer Lovers Texas” has finally been published. It can currently be purchased on Amazon and will be hitting book stores soon. I would like to thank everyone for their support on this project. It was a lot harder than it seems to travel across the state visiting the many breweries, brewpubs and craft beer bars in Texas. I had the pleasure of meeting a lot of great people who take pride in what they do and made a lot of new friends along the way. Unfortunately, with as fast as the scene is exploding I was unable to add many of the recently opened breweries but I wish you all well and plan to make a visit out to get you added to the website. Thank you for everyone for the continued support I hope that you all enjoy the book. I will be planning signing events coming in late June and early July so I will look forward to raising a pint with many of you soon. To purchase the book, please click here.
As always, if you’re looking to get out this weekend we suggest you visit a local brewery, don’t forget that we have a list of all of the breweries near you so head over to the Breweries and Brewpubs page and go support your local brewers
