A toast to veterans: Monthlong fundraiser is kicked off at Aegir Brewing

Elk River business hosts fundraiser for Elk River chapter of Beyond the Yellow Ribbon

The Vikings beat the Lions on the big screen, the music by Axel and Betty hit the right notes, and World War II movie trivia kept the crowd entertained. Aegir Brewing’s Irish stout, infused with Black Rifle Coffee, was a hit as well.

These were the makings of a successful fundraiser for Elk River Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, held Nov. 2 at Aegir Brewing Co., 19050 Industrial Blvd. NW in Elk River. The event ran from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. with Veterans Day on the horizon.

As first-time fundraisers go, members of Elk River Beyond the Yellow Ribbon and Aegir’s owners were thrilled with the early returns. Fundraising will continue through November as $2 from every “Pay It Forward” beer will be donated to the nonprofit.

Patrons can purchase beers for veterans and service members throughout the month. Each pre-purchased beer is marked with a ticket that hangs on the wall, ready to be redeemed by a veteran. If tickets remain at the end of the month, veterans and service members will be able to redeem them through the end of the year.

“At Aegir, we just want to support our community in any way we can,” said co-owner Sara Jones. “We try to spread that support around to lots of different groups, veterans included. We try to say yes as often as we can to support and give back.”

Between a larger donation check and money collected in donation boxes, the fundraiser has already brought in more than $1,000, according to Casey Mahon, a member of the local nonprofit that helps veterans, active-duty military and their families when life throws curveballs.
 

For example, Beyond the Yellow Ribbon has stepped in to help a family whose father was deployed while the mother was placed on bed rest with their third child. The family had fallen behind on rent.

The group also organizes efforts to shovel driveways for military families during heavy snowfalls or assist veterans with physical limitations.

“Being able to take care of them is the whole point of Beyond the Yellow Ribbon,” said Brian Knutson, an Army veteran who served 21 years on active duty before he and his wife, Tammy, got involved in the local chapter.

“I got involved when our son, who was in the Army Reserves, got deployed to Kuwait,” said Tammy Knutson. “I was kind of lost — not only emotionally, but I didn’t know how to send care packages or who to call if there was a problem.”

The Knutsons have three children in their blended family. Brian said having their son deployed was a different experience than his own time overseas, which included tours in Germany, Scotland, Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as assignments in Kentucky and California.

“It’s a different beast when you’re not the one being deployed,” he told his wife as tears rolled down her face on a car ride home. “I was feeling it, too.”

The Knutsons said they attended a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon conference at Camp Ripley to look for fundraising ideas. Chapters from across the state shared their experiences, including the Big Lake chapter’s successful ribfest.
 

Mahon later discovered a fundraiser at Omni Brewing in Maple Grove that supports Disabled American Veterans (DAV). He struck up a conversation with organizer Jake Scheeler, who offered to help Elk River start its own event. Omni’s DAV fundraiser recently held its ninth annual event, and Elk River organizers hope theirs will also become a tradition.

“We’d love to do this again,” Sara Jones said.

With the brewing industry facing challenges across Minnesota, Aegir’s owners, Tim and Sara Jones, said they welcome the chance to partner with community groups.

“Right now, we’re just doing our best to keep going,” Sara Jones said. “We want to have these kinds of events and be a place people want to come to support us — and our community.”

Aegir hosts cornhole leagues three days a week, plus single-day tournaments. The brewery also features trivia on Wednesdays (general academic knowledge) and Sundays (pop culture), with occasional themed nights like World War II movie trivia or Lord of the Rings trivia. Bingo, sponsored by the Elk River Lions, is held Thursdays.

Food trucks, like Nitro’s Mac Shack that was there this past Sunday, are commonplace.

Through November, patrons can still “Pay It Forward” by purchasing beers for veterans, ensuring Aegir Brewing’s support for Beyond the Yellow Ribbon continues long after the last trivia question was answered.

By Jim Boyle, Elk River Star News