Bay Area's Epidemic Ales Offer Veterans Day Collaboration Beer

CONCORD, CA — Epidemic Ales is proud to hold its annual Veteran's Day Beer Release event Saturday at its taproom and brewery in Concord.

It marks the fifth anniversary of the brewery's tradition of brewing and canning the renowned "DD-214 Unfiltered IPA," a collaborative beer brewed with and named by veteran military service members.

The DD-214 Unfiltered IPA, coming in at 6.7% ABV, pays homage to the DD-214 form, which is a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty that signifies a military service member's transition into veteran status. This seasonal beer has become a symbol of gratitude and recognition for the sacrifices made by those who have served.

During this year's release from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at its 5,000-square-foot brewery and taproom, Epidemic Ales extends its gratitude to veterans and active military personnel by offering a BOGO —Buy One Get One Free — throughout the day on pints of DD-214 IPA.

"This annual gesture is a heartfelt thank-you to the brave men and women who have dedicated their lives to serving our country," Epidemic Ales said in a news release.

The team at Epidemic has a wonderful customer base of veterans and each year, welcomes veterans on brew day to help brew DD-214 IPA.

This year, they also welcomed Jordan Kirchner, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, to the sales team at Epidemic Ales.

"This beer is special to me because my Dad, Jim Brown, is also a combat Vietnam veteran lieutenant and Purple Heart recipient," said Holly Brown, co-owner of Epidemic Ales. "He calls in remotely from San Diego each year on release day and joins other veterans who are here at the brewery in person representing the Coast Guard, Army and Marine Corps. We all share stories, take pictures, learn about beer, and toast to Veteran's Day and our special release."

DD-214 Unfiltered IPA uses a special limited Yakima Chief Veteran’s Hop Blend in all kettle additions and dry hop stages, which really brings out the flavor and aromatics from a special mix of hops. It’s a citrus-forward IPA that is tropical and super fresh. The veteran's hop blend is chosen each year by military veteran brewers representing multiple branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.

A portion of the proceeds from the Yakima Chief Veteran’s Hop Blend is donated to Homes For Our Troops, a national nonprofit organization that builds and donates specially adapted custom homes nationwide for severely injured post-9/11 veterans.

After the official release of DD-214 Unfiltered IPA on Veteran's Day, Nov. 11, the special-release beer will be available on tap and in cans throughout November at Epidemic Ales, 150 Mason Circle, Suite J, in Concord.

Epidemic Ales is a majority women-owned brewery that has been brewing local craft beer in Concord for seven years. Epidemic Ales keeps 25 fresh beers on tap daily, including nitro beers and beer slushies. Visit Epidemicales.com for hours of operation, etc.