Coming off one of the worst seasons in NFL/sports history, Browns players and fans clearly need a drink. Since their 1999 resurrection, the franchise has easily been the worst team in professional football, and I’m from Cleveland. Not surprisingly, the Dawg Pound needs its beer, and luckily there’s been a good amount of Browns beer news lately. Budweiser and the Browns recently created a clever campaign where the two collaborated to install Bud Light Cleveland Browns Victory Fridges around bars in Cleveland. These are smart-technology refrigerators that will automatically unlock after the Browns win their first regular season game of the 2018 NFL season. Did the Browns not find this idea insulting? Anyway, it was a news hit.
CLE’s most famous craft brewery, Great Lakes Brewing Co., just released a collaborative beer made with recently retired Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas (73 Kolsch, available beginning in September in cans and draft). And, just the other day, Biscayne Bay Brewing Co. announced the addition of Miami native and Browns running back Randy “Duke” Johnson Jr. to its ownership team. Johnson grew up in Miami, attended Miami Norland Senior High School and played for the University of Miami. Here is an exchange with CBB Editor Chris Crowell, a dispirited Browns fan, in our company chat box.
- Me: Chris, what’s your opinion on Duke Johnson?
- Chris: I like him? I think I have beer news with him.
- Me: I’m writing that up.
- Chris: Ok.
- Chris: He’s on my fantasy team.
There you have it. To the press release!
“This is a partnership that we are extremely excited about, having Duke on the Biscayne Bay team is a big deal for us. Not only is he a top talent and at the top of his game, he’s also a proud Miami native who cares a great deal about his hometown and is ready to give back in a big way.” said Jose Mallea, president of Biscayne Bay Brewing Co.
Last Sunday, September 2, the brewery released The Duke Brown Ale, a beer that will be sold exclusively in its tap room, with proceeds going to support the Duke Johnson Foundation and the many organizations he is involved with in greater Miami.
“It’s exciting to see what’s happening with craft beer across the country and as an entrepreneur its an industry I’m looking forward to being a part of. I’ve been blessed to have much success in my life and I’m grateful to so many who helped me get there. I want to pay it back and make sure others have the same opportunities I’ve had in football and in life. Partnering with Biscayne Bay Brewing and joining their team is a great way to do that.”
In conclusion: Browns and beer will probably be working together for quite some time. And so you know: Biscayne Bay Brewing was founded in 2012 and opened in 2014 and serves its beers to thousands of patrons at over 250 locations in south Florida.
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