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Brandon brewing company looks to help California fire victims

 
Bootleggers Brewing Company production brewer Greg Bush stirs up the mash for a special brew that will benefit victims of the Camp Fire in Northern California. Photo courtesy of Bootleggers Brewing Company
Bootleggers Brewing Company production brewer Greg Bush stirs up the mash for a special brew that will benefit victims of the Camp Fire in Northern California. Photo courtesy of Bootleggers Brewing Company
Published Dec. 20, 2018

BRANDON — Bootleggers Brewing Company, 650 Oakfield Drive in Brandon, is brewing the Resilience IPA in collaboration with Sierra Nevada Brewing to help fire victims in California.

Bootleggers Brewing has committed to brewing five batches to benefit all victims with 100 percent of all proceeds going toward the fund.

This effort also coincides with a national collaborative effort with Sierra Nevada Brewing. Bootleggers Brewing owner Shaun Goeckner, a California native, worked for the California Conservation Corps (CCC) cutting fire access trails and maintaining access roads.

"During this time, I worked two different fires: Capitan and Highlands," Goeckner said. "Toughest job I ever had."

During the Camp Fire in Paradise, Calif., Goeckner said his aunt, uncle and cousin all lost their homes to the blaze with including belongings, memories and possessions. Along with his family, Goeckner knows other area residents who lost everything along with the thousands of others impacted by the fire.

"We're doing this because we can," Goeckner said. "It's something we can do to help. For love of the craft."

The Brandon Tap Room of Bootleggers Brewing features 25 taps with an adventurous mix of in-house brewed craft beers. Bootleggers first started as Bootleggers Wine and Brewing Supplies nine years ago.

Bootlegger Flagship Beers include Lushabale Crush IPA, a New England style with fruit and citrus character, and Ice Cream Sammich Milk Stout that's loaded with bitter dark malts and a signature malt backbone.

Other beers: the Chicago Typewriter Porter, Vienna Vixen Lager, Trapezoid Belgian Tripel and Wheat Lightning American Wheat.

For more information on the Resilience IPA or Bootleggers Brewing Company, call (813) 643-9463 or visit bootleggersbrewco.com.