"Ohhhhhh .... what a niiiiiiight!"

While you spend the rest of the day trying to get that song out of your head, we wanted to take a moment this week and look back on what turned out to be a record fundraising night to the tune of $4,000 at our "Comeback Charity Bottle Share" for the Down Syndrome Association of Tallahassee on July 14 at Deep Brewing Company.

But before we do that, a little back story on why this particular bottle share — out of the nearly 20 we've held and over $35,000 raised for local organizations and nonprofits — was so special to us.

We all know that in mid-March 2020, the world changed forever because of the pandemic.
In late March 2020, we had our latest and greatest charity bottle share planned for DSAT, which provides education, support, and resources to individuals with Down syndrome, their families, professionals, and the community, while also building public awareness and acceptance of the abilities of individuals with Down syndrome.

Bring a bottle to share, make a donation, and then sample amazing brews from all over the country, enjoying donated food and the company of local fellow craft beer fans.
When the pandemic was declared, we knew gathering in person was out. So we tried to pivot to some kind of an online fundraising event for DSAT, then decided that life was just too unstable for everyone.

So, sadly, we ultimately canceled the event and promised DSAT that when life returned to "normal," they'd be the first beneficiary of our comeback bottle share. Little did we know it'd take 16 months to keep that promise.

Comeback was a big hit

But alas, not only did the "comeback" fundraiser finally happen, it was a hit.
Craft beer fans from all over came throughout the evening, dropped in donations to DSAT and shared a beer or two with their friends. They also enjoyed donated food from Rankin Tacos, The Red Shed, Oyster Mom and some amazing homemade brownies from B'Mani's Sweets & Eats.

And a special shout-out to the over two dozen local businesses that donated raffle prizes that not only helped us beat our old bottle share record of $2,500 two years ago at Proof for the Hang Tough Foundation, but SHATTER it.
We can't thank everyone enough who helped make the event happen. And along with everyone who made a donation, you are ALL collectively the real MVPs.

Supporting Tallahassee families

DSAT, which was created by Tallahassee parents in 2004 in an effort to provide support and education to families who had children with Down syndrome, was actually the very first benefactor when these charity bottle shares started in 2018, and this year marked the 3rd annual.

DSAT's Kimberly Griffin — whose son Greyson has Down syndrome — gave us some thoughts following the latest fundraiser.

"Our family is so grateful for the support we have received over the past three bottle shares. We were blown away with all of the businesses that donated raffle prizes and provided food, as well as all of the amazing people in the community that attended and donated," Griffin said.

"I could have never guessed how much a little bottle share over 3 years ago turned into such a huge event raising so much money this year. The mission of DSAT is to provide education, support, and resources to individuals with Down syndrome, their families, professionals, and the community, while building public awareness and acceptance of the abilities of individuals with Down syndrome. Again, my husband Kelly and I — as well as all of the families who love someone with Down syndrome in our community — cannot thank you enough for your support!"

And there ya have it! Drinking beer and doing good at its best!

Stay tuned for details on the next one, and if you're a local business that would like to be involved in a future event, email us tlhbeersociety@gmail.com.

Thanks again, Tallahassee. Truly!

Honoring a fallen friend with barbecue

We didn't expect to be writing about this next topic this week, but sadly here we are.
On Tuesday, July 27, the Tallahassee craft beer community — and so many other communities he was a part of — lost a close friend: Jason McDowell.

He was just 36 years old.

Jason, who is originally from Albany, Georgia, had lived in Tallahassee for almost a decade before he passed unexpectedly this week and was well-known in local beer, food and sports circles.

So to honor his life and the impact he had on so many of us, we are holding a weekend-long fundraiser for his family to help with his funeral expenses at one of his favorite restaurants in North Florida OR South Georgia: Red Shed BBQ at 3031 Crump Road.

We're calling it "Remember J-Mac" on Facebook.

There will be a chance to support the McDowell family in this tough time by purchasing his favorite meal at Red Shed — ribs, brisket and two sides — with all proceeds going to the family.

The "Jason McDowell Memorial Plate" can be purchased any time between when Red Shed opens at 11 a.m. on Friday until they close at 7 p.m. on Sunday. And there will be a small gathering between 1 and 4 p.m. on Sunday to share our favorite "J-Mac stories" — and there are many of them.

If you can't make it and would like to donate to the cause, please email us at tllhbeersociety@gmail.com and we'll make arrangements.

We miss ya already, J-Mac. Cheers to you and your wonderful life that ended way too soon.