Someday, I will write an epic post about Fraggle and file it under “Beer history.” For now I file it under “it’s complicated” and “too soon.” But I would like to tell you about an event that he bloody well should have been at.
First, some background for those who don’t know. Fraggle — the one-named Oakland institution known to most in the beer community for co-founding Beer Revolution and being seen at pretty much every beer event ever — had a massive stroke at the end of June. It was like a neutron bomb hit Facebook: a fund was set up for his medical bills, fundraisers were planned, frequent updates were posted. We thought he’d be facing a long, tough, expensive rehab. Instead, on July 3 we found out that he had too little brain function to possibly survive. He was pronounced dead on Saturday, July 5.
At Beer Revolution’s 1-year anniversary party, February 2011. Photo: Brian Stechschulte (http://www.alloverbeer.com/lend-hand-fraggle/)
Ale Industries was in the middle of a fundraiser at its Fruitvale brewery when the news broke, and the assembled group toasted him with Underberg shots (a Fraggle favorite). Commonwealth Cafe in Oakland went on with its fundraiser already planned for the next day — an emotional, raucous roof-raiser of an Irish-by-way-of-the-East-Bay wake.
There’s one more planned fundraiser that will march on as a memorial, FraggleFest 2014 at Linden Street Brewery on Sunday, August 24. It’s an apt venue, as it’s somewhere Fraggle worked and helped out both before and after his time at Beer Revolution, and he and Linden Street’s Adam were close. Some details are being shrouded in secrecy for the element of surprise, but it’s looking like a helluva beer fest and punk show, worth attending even if you never heard of Fraggle before just now. All the details are here.
This will be a large event and volunteers are needed. Email Marlene at mlsironi@gmail.com if you are interested in helping out. Give your email address, phone number, and whether you have beer pouring experience.
One last thing: Fraggle was an organ donor. Some of his donations reportedly saved several lives last week and others went to medical research. If this inspires you, and it should, register here.
To be continued, someday.
Great write up Jen!
Thanks Jen, well said
Thank you!