BIDDEFORD — Dirigo Brewing company has created a new beer that will whet your whistle and help those who have lost everything in a fire.
The brewing company, through a partnership with IAFF Local 3107 Biddeford Career Firefighters, will be selling a beer with proceeds going to a fund overseen by the city to help local fire victims.
The beer, Big Water, is a Kolsch style ale, a type of beer native to Cologne, Germany. The beer has a 5 percent alcohol content.
“It’s crisp, clean and bready,” said head brewer Ray Edgar. “I’m really happy with the beer. I think it really came out nice.”
City General Assistance Administrator Kristen Barth said there are specific guidelines when administering general assistance, and there are no designated funds the city can administer for immediate help for fire victims.
The need for funding to assist fire victims came to the forefront in April, when a fire on Hill Street destroyed an apartment building and left 34 people homeless.
After the Hill Street fire, District 12 State Rep. Martin Grohman created an online funding campaign that raised more than $7,000 to help those displaced by the fire.
As a result of that fire, Barth said, officials realized a need to be more proactive, and have funds on hand to help people should another major fire occur.
On Tuesday morning, local firefighters were at the brewery stacking cases of beer as cans came off the assembly line.
“It’s been a great experience for us,” said Edgar. “The union has been fantastic and it feels good to help the community.”
The beer will be debuted at an event from 4 to 8 p.m. Aug. 17, at the Dirigo Brewing tasting room, 28 Pearl St., tucked away a few blocks from Main Street with a view of the Saco River.
Firefighter Tim Sevigney said the brewery and tasting room is “a hidden gem” in Biddeford, and the event will not only benefit the community, but will also help promote a local business.
— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.
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