It is a sad fact to understand the rates of suicide amongst our Armed Forces veterans. Numbers can range between branches of service and years served, but one suicide is one too many.
To help combat this, organizations such as The Fire Watch are providing safe places and spaces for these veterans to go.
Based in Northeast Florida, The Fire Watch helps to support other organizations helping the general public understand the signs of veterans in need and provide resources to those affected.
One of the programs they have launched is the Watch Stander program, which has trained over 10,000 people in the community to spot warning signs and provide connections for veterans potentially contemplating suicide to organizations where they can get help.
It’s something anybody can do, and only requires an hour or so of time for training.
In an effort to continue spreading the word about this amazing program, Veterans United Craft Brewery, in Jacksonville has partnered with The Fire Watch to release Watchstander (IPA, 6.1% ABV).
Each one of the cans describes The Fire Watch and provides a QR code directly to their website where drinkers can start the qualification process of becoming a Watch Stander themselves.
The beer, a New England IPA, is a great style that has not only a lot of drinkability, but a lot of interest and demand in the community. Because of this, it’s a great way to get their message out and around.
It pours a nice opaque hazy orange color, and has a wonderfully fruity and melon notes in the aroma.
The flavor has a prominent amount of grapefruit and pine resin, coming from large dry hop additions of Citra, Galaxy, Mosaic, and Ekuanot hops, which lend it a very earthy hop bitterness. It’s got a bite to it, but still a moderate amount of juicy citrus flavor as well.
It’s a very approachable IPA, and one that a lot of beer drinkers are going to like, which is great to get the message of The Fire Watch and their Watch Stander program in front.
As for the program, I have taken the Watch Stander training and encourage you to do the same. If you are interested in becoming a Watch Standard yourself, please head to this website. Hopefully we can end the cycle of veteran suicide in our generation.
Drink Florida Craft,
Dave
@floridabeerblog
floridabeerblog@gmail.com
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