Fireman’s Brew looks to crowdfund its first tap room in Los Angeles

Fireman’s Brew, the Los Angeles-based craft beer company created by two California firefighters, has launched a crowdfunding (Reg CF) campaign via Wefunder to support the development of a brand-new, 10,000-square-foot tap room in Canoga Park, Calif., the Los Angeles suburb where the company is based.

This crowdfunding initiative allows for non-accredited investors to purchase an equity stake in the business for the very first time in the company’s history; this means that the campaign, intended to close within 90 days, is open to anyone and allows any potential investor to finance any amount — upwards of a $100 required minimum — to be a part of the Fireman’s Brew brand expansion. In addition to receiving first-ever-issued preferred shares in the company, investors will be eligible to receive a series of perks including: merchandise, permanent recognition in the brewery, exclusive access and tours, brewery club memberships and more.

The vision for Fireman’s Brew turned into a reality in late 2000 when the company’s founders were extinguishing brushfire above the Glendale Mountains in Los Angeles. They were staring into the midnight sky, dreaming of the cool smooth taste of a fresh beer to quench their scorched dry mouths. From this point, these two firemen set out to brew the best beer in the world. The result was Fireman’s Brew, and the company has grown from one homebrewed keg at a time to a national brand for firefighters and fans alike. Thanks to the beer’s craftsmanship and strong distributor support base, the company has grown to sell nearly 4 million beers in 15 states and a number of foreign countries. Staying true to the company’s founding mission of creating beers by firefighters for firefighters, Fireman’s Brew is also committed to giving back to the firefighter community via their charitable partnership with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

The new and modern building, set to break ground in early 2018, will serve as the company’s official public tap/tasting room and research and development facility. Situated between four major Los Angeles freeways, the new facility will easily allow Fireman’s Brew to serve both the immediate local San Fernando Valley customer base of 1.8 million, as well as the Greater Los Angeles Area resident base of close to 19 million people, onsite like never before.

“We’re so thrilled that one of our main investors has signed a letter of intent to purchase the land and build the 10,000-square-foot building. The public’s investment money will contribute even further to the grassroots effort of building out this taproom — from tables and tanks to chairs and counters — as well as help the growth of our current business,” said Roger Baer, CEO of Fireman’s Brew.

“We have come a long way from creating this brand in our home kitchen, but there is still work to be done, and that journey brings us to where we are today — having the incredible opportunity in front of us to expand our business in a very exciting way,” said Rob Nowaczyk, founder of Fireman’s Brew.

Crowdfunding craft beer: Viable business strategy or market fad?

“This type of investment opportunity in Fireman’s Brew was not previously available to the general public due to federal and state regulations requiring investors to meet certain income standards; this round of funding is all about our loyal fans from all walks of life who are now able to join our amazing roster of more than 100 active and retired firefighter shareholders for the first time,” said David Johnson, CFO for Fireman’s Brew.

In addition to four distinct beers, Fireman’s Brew offers a line of “On-Duty” micro-brewed sodas, including Root Beer, Cream Soda and Black Cherry Soda, as well as two flavors of fire roasted coffee, including Three Alarm Blend and False Alarm Decaf.