Beering It Forward for Veterans Day (2021)

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by Todd, Nov 11, 2021.

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  1. Todd

    Todd Founder (13,254) Aug 23, 1996 Finland
    Staff Super Mod Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Back in the late 1980s and early 1990s, during the end of the Cold War and Gulf War, I served in the United States Air Force within the Security Forces as a GLCM Ranger under the 501st Tactical Missile Wing at RAF Greenham Common in Newbury, England. When I wasn't guarding BGM-109G Gryphons (ground launched cruise missiles equipped with W84 thermonuclear warheads) or establishing launch sites at undisclosed locations to protect the west from ballistic nuclear strikes from the Soviet Union (aka "camping"), I was discovering beer and unknowingly building the foundation for BeerAdvocate.

    [​IMG]
    Airman Todd Alström, circa 1989, GLCM Ranger field training in a top secret location somewhere in the woods of England. Photo courtesy of Todd Alström.

    Back then, it seemed like every block had a pub. Sometimes more. "Beer schools" where I'd learn about British beer and pub culture. Thousands of times. Ingraining a deep respect for beer that not only remains today, but inspired me to homebrew, write my first beer review, create a community platform for beer geeks, travel the world, host over 70 beer festivals, go to brewing school, publish a monthly print beer magazine for over a decade, and meet some amazing people along the way. If I didn't enlist, there'd be no BeerAdvocate today.

    I'm thankful for all of that, thankful to all who served, and would like to beer it forward.
    1. I'm giving away an Extreme Beer Box to five (5) fellow military veterans of the United States Armed Forces. Head to the Extreme Beer Box: Veterans Day (2021) Giveaway post to learn more.
    2. BeerAdvocate is proud to sponsor this year's "Veterans Day (2021)" badge on Untappd.
    Good luck to those who enter, don't forget to check in if you're also on Untappd, and check out these 28 veteran-owned breweries on Hop Culture to expand your support.

    Finally, sound off if you're a veteran! I'd love to hear if you have a service and beer-related story.

    Cheers to all who served! :beers:
     
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  2. beergoot

    beergoot Grand High Pooh-Bah (8,596) Oct 11, 2010 Colorado
    Super Mod Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Thanks, Todd.

    David R. Perl, MSgt, USAF (ret.)
    1984-2004
     
  3. Shanex

    Shanex Grand Pooh-Bah (4,466) Dec 10, 2015 France
    Regional Mod Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Thanks Todd.

    Can’t call myself a veteran (nor an American) really as I was never deployed abroad, but I spent a bit of time in a barrack way back.

    Shortly after two months of basic training I was asked to be the bartender of the Mess. For the non-military people it’s a place for NCO and NGO to hang out and have a couple of beers or whatever tickle your fancy. Bar was open 7-9am then midday-2pm and again 5pm to 11pm.

    Hence while I didn’t really need to go out of the barrack to drink I had my first “pub experience” then too. Our group of soldiers hanged out often while on leave to a pub less than one kilometer away.

    Unfortunately it was nearly 20 years ago and I can’t remember what I was drinking in the pub. Probably Belgian beers.

    Back at the Mess we were mostly serving cheap 1664 and I can clearly remember the price: 1€ for a 250ml one on draft. How things have changed since.

    Cheers to actual veterans from your side of the pond or anywhere else.
     
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  4. DrOfGolf

    DrOfGolf Initiate (0) Jun 11, 2019 Delaware
    In Memoriam Trader

    Thanks, Todd.

    Doc
    US Army, (Ret)
    1966 - 1986
     
    #4 DrOfGolf, Nov 11, 2021
    Last edited: Nov 11, 2021
  5. jkrich

    jkrich Pooh-Bah (1,854) Nov 1, 2001 Florida
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Todd, you look slim and trim in that photo!
    I served in the US Army from 1990 to 1995. I was also slim and trim; not so slim and trim now, but I try.
     
  6. alson

    alson Initiate (0) Jun 23, 2015 Michigan

    Thank you for your service Tod. Thank you again for the great site and all the information you put into it. Ed Hein
    United States Navy, USS Oglethorpe AKA 100 " LTLF" 1965- 1971.
     
  7. Thankin_Hank

    Thankin_Hank Grand Pooh-Bah (3,860) Nov 18, 2013 Texas
    Pooh-Bah Society

    James "Army" Armstrong, Engineman 3rd Class, USNR, Assault Boat Engineer, USS Denver LPD-9 1973-75. We put Marines on the beach.
    San Miguel Beer in Olongapo City, P.I. was 50 centavos.

    [​IMG]
     
  8. 2beerdogs

    2beerdogs Grand Pooh-Bah (4,878) Jan 31, 2005 California
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Cheers to all of you veterans. And to my Pop, uncles, and cousins who served our country.
     
  9. 40ontarget

    40ontarget Pundit (974) Feb 7, 2012 Colorado
    Society

    Way back in the day I was in the US Army attached to a Turkish rocket battalion. Our warheads were also pointed at the Soviet Union and meant to stop their naval fleet from leaving the Black Sea through the Bosphorus. No matter where I went in the Army I tried the local food and drink. I'm still trying new things thanks to all of the BA's out there who post beers, music, etc. Happy Veterans Day to all those who have served!
     
    KentT, BMBCLT, 25Comical and 30 others like this.
  10. Mexican_Viking_Domerdoc

    Mexican_Viking_Domerdoc Crusader (479) Jan 12, 2021 Texas
    Trader

    Thank you, Todd!! Husband and I met in the Navy a while ago and the virtual beer fests have been our way of keeping sane with date nights at home during the pandemic. Thanks for bringing awesome beer to us!! Salud! :beers:
    Happy Veteran's Day!
     
  11. LarryV

    LarryV Grand Pooh-Bah (4,754) Jun 13, 2001 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Sgt. Larry V.

    USAF 68-72 - Nam Vet

    Defensive Fire Control for B52's.

    [​IMG]
     
  12. colts9016

    colts9016 Pooh-Bah (2,997) Jul 2, 2007 Idaho
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    I served 8 1/2 yrs Combat Veteran Iraq Army
     
  13. gmartinez

    gmartinez Devotee (374) Jan 18, 2012 North Carolina
    Trader

    Thanks Todd,

    Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant

    Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve veteran.

    2006 to Present

    Good luck to all participants, Semper Fidelis
     
  14. SoCalBeerIdiot

    SoCalBeerIdiot Pooh-Bah (2,057) Mar 10, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    That's awesome! Thanks for sharing!

    Thank you for your service, Todd. And "Thank you" to all BAs who've served. Cheers!
     
    KentT, BMBCLT, VABA and 18 others like this.
  15. TreeTopFlyer

    TreeTopFlyer Devotee (361) Sep 18, 2005 New Hampshire
    Society

    Thank you! Very kind and thanks all who served. I spent a couple (20+) of years in the Air Force.

    Just registered (I think...brand new to Discord).

    Cheers all.
     
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  16. brewdlyhooked13

    brewdlyhooked13 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,182) Oct 7, 2002 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Cheers fellow GLCM Ranger, I don't think I was aware of that . After serving in the Strategic Air Command at Grand Forks, ND (playing with Minuteman III's), I served in the 487th Tactical Missile Wing at Comiso Air Station in Sicily. Although the label on the BDU's said U. S. Air Force, all of our field instructions and procedures were 100% from Army manuals.

    GLCMs were a badass missile in the 80s. During my training at Davis-Monthan, my instructor, who knew I was from Cincinnati, told me that while B-52s could be given a flight plan to drop missiles on Riverfront Stadium, they could program the GLCM targeting for which quadrant of home plate they wanted it to hit. Either way, I can only presume he was not much of a Reds fan.

    Happy Veterans Day to you, all vets and the families who support them.
     
  17. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand Pooh-Bah (5,291) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Happy Veterans Day to you too, Todd, and to all of the other vets posting in this thread.

    I too have served in the US Army in what I call the most interesting 24 months of my life. Twelve of those months involved an 'all expenses paid' trip to sunny Southeast Asia (Vietnam) where I kept myself occupied as an airplane mechanic and drinking beer. Did not drink a single 33 Beer because of hearing it said too many times that that beer was brewed with embalming fluid.

    T.J. Brown
    U.S. Army '66 - '68
     
    KentT, FBarber, BMBCLT and 25 others like this.
  18. russpowell

    russpowell Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,256) May 24, 2005 Arkansas
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    US Air Force 1981 to 2007

    First 4 years I was an HVAC Troop out at Titan II ICBM sites in Kansas.

    The rest of career I was Communication Electronics Maintenance the rest of my career, mostly Ground Radio. I too had several assignments that reeked of US Army.
    My assignment to RAF Croughton gave me 5 years to immerse myself in British Pub Culture. Changed my beer consumption habits for life. Another 3 in Germany sealed the deal. I wish I had been aware of this community at the time.
     
  19. captaincoffee

    captaincoffee Pooh-Bah (2,194) Jul 10, 2011 Virginia
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    24 years active duty USAF (1994-2018) and a couple years Army civilian (2019-2021). God bless.
     
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  20. Hilltopper

    Hilltopper Aspirant (266) Jul 17, 2005 Connecticut

    82nd Airborne, Ranger, Jump Master. God, I was made of twisted steel and sex appeal back in the early 70s. Today, I appreciate the rompin' stompin badasses who have taken my place on the line. I will never regret my time in the Army. It opened my eyes made me a better man.
     
    KentT, russpowell, BMBCLT and 17 others like this.
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