Last month we told you about Fireman’s Brew and it’s foray into the Illinois market.
The brand, started by a pair of Los Angeles area firefighters and contract brewed at Mendocino Brewing, is one of a handful of new breweries to find their way to Illinois in recent months.
We recently had a chance to sit down with samples of their beers and to fire some questions at Rob Nowaczyk, one of the founders of Fireman’s Brew, in hopes of giving you a better idea of what to expect from this growing brewery.
Guys Drinking Beer: First, Rob, can you give us the background behind Fireman’s Brew? When the idea for a brewery was hatched? And how long it took to get the idea for craft beer from, well, an idea to liquid in a bottle?
Rob Nowaczyk: I think you guys can really relate to the story behind Fireman’s Brew.
A few years ago, my firefighter partner Ed Walker and I were part of crew knocking out a big brush fire up in local mountains. After the fire was out, we were mopping up some hotspots. We were tired, super-thirsty, and dreaming of an ice-cold beer to quench our thirst – when I turned to Ed and said “Hey – Why Don’t We Make Our Own”. In that quick flash, the idea for Fireman’s Brew was born.On the long trek back down to our engine company, that’s all we could talk about – what styles of beers are we going to make, what are we going to call it, etc.
And like every other aspiring brewmaster experiences, getting it from the idea stage to a bottle on a shelf took longer than we had expected, because we wanted to make sure we had it just right.
Along the journey, Ed and I always talked about not only making great handcrafted beer, beer that we both loved to drink – but also creating a company that would give back to the firefighter community. And, with that – Fireman’s Brew donates a portion of our proceeds to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, in addition to supporting other local Firefighter relief organizations.
GDB: Your three flagship beers include a pilsner-style lager, a red ale and a doppelbock. When we think West Coast beers we think of giant hop bombs. Why didn’t you go that route? And why did you go with those three styles?
Nowaczyk: You’re right – the West Coast has definitely earned its reputation for stretching the limits of hoppy beer – but that’s also part of the reason that we didn’t head down that route.
First, we set out to make great beer – by firefighters for firefighters. Beer that stood up on its own, with bold flavors, and handcrafted quality that comes through in its taste. But at the same time, we wanted all of our beers to be really accessible – with tastes & flavors that both beer enthusiasts and broader drinkers would appreciate. It’s funny, when we head out to beer festival events – we’re always one of the most popular beers there – not just because we bring out the firefighters, but also because after folks sample the more extreme beers, they head back to us for a beer to quench their thirst.
I’d like to say that our style choice was a strategic decision, but really it was the types of beer that we enjoyed drinking, and had fun home-brewing. It ended up working out great, because each beer pairs up great with different types of foods, and are nice complements to each time of year – Summer for the Blonde,Fall for the Redhead and Winter for the Dobblebock.
GDB: What can people expect from the three beers now available in Illinois?
Nowaczyk: They can expect that it really is beer made by Firefighters. And, all of Fireman’s Brew award-winning beers are made from only the finest of all-natural ingredients. So, first and foremost it’s that handcrafted quality that’s really coming through in every pour. Beer that features great flavor mixed with easy drinking refreshment.
Next they can expect that when they enjoy Fireman’s Brew – they’ll be supporting a great cause, with us giving back to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
GDB: Any plans to expand on the current, everyday offerings?
Nowaczyk: Absolutely, we’re always debating what our next brew is going to be – and that’s part of the fun, experimenting, debating and “research” tasting all different types of beers.
GDB: No wrong answer here, Rob, we have some great distributors in this state – but what made you choose Grant and Specialty Distributing to distribute your brands?
Nowaczyk: Those guys have been awesome – since our first meetings together – they really got what we were doing and were really enthusiastic to be working with us. I personally liked the homegrown family atmosphere at Grand and Specialty, which aligns really well with our values here at Fireman’s Brew. I can’t say enough good things about both distributors, and we’re excited to be working with them to help build out the market.
GDB: It would seem you’re pushing east (not that you can go any further west) expanding your distribution outside of California. What are the long-term plans for Fireman’s Brew; regional player…national player?
Nowaczyk: We’ve always said that Fireman’s Brew has the potential to become a National Brand – because it really is a brand that everyone can relate too. I think also with the style and flavor profiles of the beer that we make, we’re in a pretty good spot to take Fireman’s Brew to the national level.
GDB: Adam over at BeerPulse recently reported on your $5 million dollar private offering. Does this play into your expansion east or are there bigger things on the horizon for Fireman’s Brew?
Nowaczyk: Unfortunately, we can’t comment on the offering due to strict SEC regulations. However, generally speaking, companies of our size typically raise capital to expand their business.
GDB: Finally, Rob, we’re curious if you have had any experience with the Chicago beer scene or if you’ve tried any of the beers produced here and – if so – what your thoughts are?
Nowaczyk: Absolutely – does having an Old Style in the bleachers at Wrigley count? Chicago’s one of my favorite towns and I love to hit up Goose Island when I’m out there, and try out a few local favorites like Three Floyds.
Three of Fireman’s Brew staple beers are now on store shelves in Illinois. They include the Blonde, Brunette and Redhead.
- Redhead: This amber ale is incredibly malt-forward, harshly carbonated at times – with a medicinal, almost syrupy body – and a grassy, hoppy finish that borders on abrasive. Despite the terse notes this was drinkable, and strangely reminiscent of Miller Red.
- Blonde: Straw in color and completely translucent the blonde, a pilsner-style lager, fits the lawnmower style to a tee. It’s thin, with plenty of carbonation and light flavors of fruit and a buttered English muffin. Straightforward and no-nonsense, a good beer to drink when you don’t want to think too much about what you’re drinking.
- Brunette: This doppelbock, our doublebock as it’s labeled in the commercial description, was our hands-down winner in this sampling. Caramel notes on the nose lead into a sweet, warming beer with flavors of espresso and a certain cola-ish quality similar to homemade root beer. For being the heaviest beer in Fireman’s profile, both in body and alcohol content, the brunette drinks remarkably smooth.
For the most part, these offerings gives you what you might expect: middle of the road flavors with nothing too outside the norm.
Also, marketing note to the gents in charge: Get yourself some 40s-style WWII-inspired pinup art (respectful and classy, of course, nothing crass) to associate with each of your lady-named brand and you’ll do quite well for yourselves.