Can & Irons Beer Assists Concord Firefighter Association: VIDEO

CONCORD, NH — A local craft brewery has released a specialized beer with proceeds going to support firefighters in need.

Concord Craft Brewing Company launched Can & Irons IPA last week in an effort not only to raise awareness during Fire Prevention Week but also raise money for the Concord Firefighters Relief Association. The association was formed in March 1970 as a nonprofit organization to support both active and retired firefighters in need.

The concept of the beer was concocted before the COVID-19, pandemic as a way of raising awareness and money, according to Christopher Girard, a Concord firefighter involved in the effort, and Dennis Molnar, the owner of the company.

Girard said the firefighters began working with Molnar on the idea but then, put it on hold, due to coronavirus lockdowns.

“I wasn’t going to ask for anything when he was trying to keep his business above water,” he said.

At first, Girard said, he thought it might be good to have kegs of the beer, at all the restaurants in Concord, as a way of raising awareness about firefighters in need as well as their contribution to keeping the city safe. But they scaled back the idea to a limited-edition IPA, available in cans, and on tap at the brewery. The relief association, Girard said, provides financial assistance to firefighters during difficult times like injuries or medical issues. It contributes to travel expenses, food, or any other items, when they need help or have to take time off from work, he said.

“Whatever we can help with,” Girard said.

Molnar said the company works with local charities on a number of projects and putting this together made sense.

“That's where designing and brewing a beer with the CFRA began,” Molnar said. “When we learned more about what the CFRA does, we at Concord Craft Brewing thought it might also be a great way to raise funds for their work.”

For every purchase of Can & Irons IPA, $1 will be donated to the org.

The beer is an American IPA with highlights of El Dorado, Citra, and Strata hops, according to the company.

Girard said a firefighter with cancer is currently being assisted by the fund as well as a child of another firefighter who has his third brain tumor and is being helped. He hoped the Can & Irons IPA short run can be an annual fundraising effort.

“We’ll just see where it goes from here,” he said. “Hopefully, we can keep this run-up.”

Here is a video of the company preparing to can and label the beer.

Here is a video of Concord Craft Brewing Company canning another beer and what it looks like inside the bar.

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