New Lenox Brewery, Family Of Fallen Solider Collaborate On 'Infantry' Beer To Benefit Veterans Charity

NEW LENOX, IL — A New Lenox brewery is paying tribute to a local fallen soldier, with a beer made in collaboration with his family.

Mokena native and PFC Aaron Toppen died in June 2014 in an incident of friendly fire while stationed in the Zabul province of Afghanistan. Toppen had been on a special mission to secure the area for an upcoming election, and died alongside four other Americans and an Afghan interpreter. He was 19 years old.

His death left his hometown stunned and heartbroken, but spurred many to action in his memory, and in support of the veteran community. Family and friends, intent on paying forward the support received from Toppen's hometown, began holding fundraising events within months of Aaron’s death, leading to the creation of the Our Fallen Hero Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, in the spring of 2018.

Mike Bacon, of Arrowhead Ales Brewing Company, recently worked with Aaron's mother Pam to make a hazy India pale ale named Infantry—a nod to Aaron's service to the country. The beer is available in four-packs cans and on tap at the brewery, with a percentage of can sales proceeds going to the foundation.

"It was an immense honor to brew this beer alongside Pam Toppen in memory of her son, Private First Class Aaron Toppen, who tragically lost his life in Afghanistan on June 9, 2014," Bacon said. "Working with her to raise funds for the Our Fallen Hero Foundation was both a privilege and a gesture of gratitude for Aaron’s sacrifice. It has been a pleasure getting to know Pam—and I want her to know, I’m always here and ready to help however I can, whenever she’d like to do something like this again."

One of the foundation's largest fundraisers, a motorcycle and car ride, marked its 10th anniversary at the Aug. 16 event. The beer collaboration came about in commemoration of it, and a similar earlier initiative, Pam Toppen said.

In 2015, a friend of Aaron's worked at a Chicago grocery store, she said, and Tinley Park's Hailstorm Brewing would deliver beer there. That inspired a collaboration with Brandon Banbury, then-owner of Hailstorm, for a beer in Toppen's memory.

Looking to again brew something special in time for the 2025 ride, Pam Toppen learned Banbury has since moved on from Hailstorm—but Bacon came highly recommended. Banbury, she learned, had trained Bacon on brewing beer.

Pam Toppen brought "the Aaron beer" from 10 years ago to show Bacon, she said.

"What an awesome guy," Pam Toppen said. "It was amazing—he explained everything to us, so much so that my head was spinning. He was so cool about it."

The two brewers' previous connection seemed serendipitous.

"It’s like a complete circle," she said. "It really is a neat idea."

Bacon, she said, included the family in the process, from inspiration to creation.

"Mike is just awesome," she said. "He helped us out tremendously. Just a great guy, all in all."

The beer's label design includes photos of Toppen and a message to those holding the can.

"Enjoy this beer while thinking of those who have given their all for your freedoms," the label reads. "Never forget those who put themselves in harm's way to protect you. Always take a sip for yourself, and one for those no longer with us. And when you run out, grab another and continue sipping."

Pam Toppen was thrilled with the finished product.

"It is so cool," she said, "They did an awesome job on it."

Since its inception, the Our Fallen Hero foundation has raised more than $400,000 in Toppen's memory, Pam Toppen said.

"I’m telling you—our communities, the support from the surrounding communities—is amazing," she said.