Frankfort Brewer Dedicates Craft To Son With Autism, Charities

FRANKFORT, IL — The Piece of Mind India pale ale is a fruity, earthy, cloudy, small batch brew which isn't overly bitter. While it can provide a great tasting experience and a happy buzz to its drinkers, it also offers something most beers don't: thousands of dollars to local charities which focus on assisting citizens with autism.

John Newton, a local lawyer, and his brother Mark run the Woggly Square Brewing Company on their own, usually brewing only 10 gallons at a time. At this point, they're mostly in it for the love of beer, but decided they can do so much more with their work than just providing a tasty brew.

John's 12-year-old son, Matthew, is autistic. He's mostly nonverbal, Newton told Patch, and not high functioning, but serves as the inspiration behind the work Newton and his brother are doing.

Woggly Square is one of the few things that Matthew says, Newton told the Chicago Tribune. So, he said, "let's introduce Woggly Square as a brand. Let's do a fundraiser," he told Patch.

The Piece of Mind IPA was released at a 350 Brewing Company event in Tinley Park. With the help of 350's brewers and equipment, which can handle much a much higher capacity than the Newtons, they brewed the beer.

It was debuted at the event in the form of 750 milliliter bottles, which sold out at $15 a piece, the Chicago Tribune reported. Piece of Mind uses three types of hops: mosaic, citra and Idaho seven.

350 Brewing was packed — literally, Newton said. "We can't say enough about their willingness to work with us."

Matthew has benefited immensely from the Lincolnway Special Recreation Association, John said. "They've gotten him to do things I wouldn't have imagined," he said. That's why Lincolnway will be the first beneficiary of Woggly Square's fundraising efforts, as Newton will present a $6,100 check to them on March 8 at 3 p.m.

What Newton wants for people with autism is for them to have more meaningful lives. Many citizens with autism "are highly functional and incredibly intelligent," but autism affects people in myriad ways. Some, who have more difficulty functioning, still need meaning in their lives.

That's why Newton hopes to turn Woggly Square brewing into a fully operational brewery, hiring as many employees with autism as possible and donating 10 percent of their profits to charities that benefit the people with autism.

Newton certainly has people to thank for his success. He was sure to mention his wife, Gina, who provided the social media savvy required to publicize Woggly Square. She played a big role in filling up 350 brewing at the event. "She started the Facebook to help us get connected to people."

Speaking of 350 Brewing, Newton is immensely grateful for what they've done. "To get your beer out there, it costs tons of money," he said, but by partnering with 350, they were able to "test the waters."

Newton wants to work with organizations that help people with autism to help them find employment. He hopes to take that into his own hands, too.

"Many autistic people thrive on routines. You do the chairs, the tables, then the sweeping, then the mopping... We'll find positions wherever we can," Newton said. "We wouldn't put people in stressful or problematic situations."

Woggly Square has won 12 medals in local brewing contests, Netwon said. "We love the craft beer culture, the friendly competition" of the supportive craft beer community, he told Patch.

Newton's goals for Woggly Square brewing are simple. "Hopefully, we're going to make good beer and sell well," he said. "But we're not quitting our day jobs."

For more information on Woggly Square Brewing Company, check out their website.

Article image via Woggly Square used with permission