QUEENSBURY, N.Y. -- Dog Tag Brewing’s Legacy Lager is designed to be a conversation starter.
“Today I met a lot of people. It was just about walking up, seeing them drink a Dog Tag can, asking who is on their can, what warrior, who was on their can, and from there we had a conversation,” explained Brian Ames of Pabst Brewing Company.
Each 16 ounce can bears the name of a fallen service member.
“You start off with a toast to a fallen soldier and that is going to directly help your community," said Ames. "That's what we're asking here today."
Thanks to a partnership with Pabst Brewing Company, the organization will soon be selling beer in 26 states, including New York. All of the proceeds benefit charitable initiatives of Gold Star families. The launch was marked with a celebration at Six Flags Great Escape in Queensbury Saturday.
“We're not going to change their circumstance but we're going to provide a little lift,” said Bethany Birkholz of the Ben Osborn Foundation.
The Ben Osborn Memorial Fund, based in Lake George, is one of four New York organizations set to receive money.
“We’ve been growing and we never thought that we would grow this big but it is with the help of the community that’s helped us keep going and doing what we’re doing,” said Birkholz.
Ben Osborne served in Afghanistan as part of the 101st Airborne Division. His family created the foundation after he died in 2010, as a way to honor his sacrifice. They aim to help local kids in need.
“By helping them have sneakers for gym or eyeglasses that they keep at school so they can see the school board," explained Birkholz. "We even helped a girl go to the prom.”
Building on the legacy of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice by supporting the work of those they leave behind.
“Go on the website," said Ames. "Check out the foundation and you're going to realize it is closer to home than you really think it is.”
“It is not a sad story," Birkholz said. "It is helping their legacy, keeping it active, and a conversation starter and I like that a lot.”