Beer Heroes, Too

Honoring and appreciating members of police officers, armed forces and firefighters has become a staple at sporting events in this day and time. Honoring what they do and mean to our communities is something we all should do.

We had a little incident here in Munhall (a suburb of Pittsburgh) this week. It certainly wasn't the largest disaster in the history of mankind, but could have been devastating if our responders weren't there to help suppress the situation.

As some of you usually ask by this point in some of my posts, "What does this have to do with beer?" I say that I'll eventually get there. It's alright to acknowledge some people that are a lot braver than I am.

If you read the article that I linked, you'll notice the name of the chief of Munhall No. 4 close to me. Not only is Dan Rojtas considered one of those aforementioned heroes in his own right, but he can also be classified as a sort of craft beer hero.

Rojtas and his brother Bryan (also a firefighter at Montgomery County Fire Rescue Station 31) recently had an amazing idea to purchase 24 cases of pumpkin beer (even though it's out in the blazing heat of August) and sought out 23 other people to purchase a case that included one bottle of beer from each of the 24 cases. Get the gist? Also, this was of no profit to either. Their aim is strictly to try as many pumpkin beers as possible while being able to spread the wealth and tastiness of beer. Bryan was responsible for a few brews that aren't found in Pennsylvania being included in this "variety pack," which included the vaunted Schlafly Pumpkin. Something that I've never come across even with people out-of-state looking for it.

Rojtas assembling the "pumpkin variety" cases.

They plan on doing something similar in future seasons when the correct seasonal beers come out. This is certainly fodder for future posts in the future. I'm all for hoarding more beer.

Munhall No. 4 has also brought more than great deeds and beer to the surrounding area. It had a mini-fundraiser in recent weeks and sold hoagies (sub sandwiches for those of you outside of Western Pa.) from DiCarlo's here in Pittsburgh. Hoagies that go great with a Pilsner or a Helles Lager. I'll certainly try to let the local folk know the next time this happens.