The season of giving is upon us and Water’s End Brewery is finding every excuse to party for charity. Returning for its third year on Friday, Nov. 2 is Water’s End’s annual Beers $4 Vets kick-off, followed by their inaugural Thrashgiving on Saturday, Nov. 3.
The brewery, founded by longtime friends Ryan Sharkey, Zach Mote and Josh Fournelle, has operated under a charitable slant since its conception in September 2016. Water’s End’s 10-day veterans campaign has proved wildly popular among Woodbridge residents over the past two years.
From Nov. 2–10, Water’s End patrons can participate in Beers $4 Vets by purchasing $4 beer coupons that are reserved for and redeemed by military veterans who visit the brewery over Veterans Day weekend. These heroic guests can redeem their coupon for any Water’s End beer poured over the three-day weekend including ales, stouts, IPAs and more. Sharkey explains that several hundred beers were enjoyed by veterans last year thanks to both brewery-sponsored coupons and those purchased by customers.
Sharkey also notes that all unused coupons that remain after the holiday weekend will be cashed at face value and donated to the Arlington-based Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors. Although TAPS is not specifically geared towards veterans, the charity provides around-the-clock support for families, friends and the like who have lost a loved one to tragedy. Since its establishment in 1994, TAPS has assisted more than 80,000 surviving families, casualty officers and caregivers.
Following the Beer $4 Vets kick-off is Water’s End’s first-ever Thrashgiving. Like the Veterans Day promotion, the music-centered campaign is entering its third year and approached Water’s End Brewery as a possible host for its 2018 show. “Shamla Safi, also known as METAL Teresa, came to us looking for a new venue for their event. We pride ourselves on being a community gathering place and [are] honored to have been thought of,” says Sharkey.
On Sunday, Nov. 3 at 6 p.m., the brewery will transform into the ultimate entertainment space for five hours of non-stop music by seven metal bands like Washington, D.C.’s Snipers of Babel and Richmond’s Vulcanite. While jamming out, brewery guests can also peruse and bid on local artwork that will be displayed along the taproom’s perimeter.
Admission into Thrashgiving is $10 at the door, or $8 with a canned food item. All proceeds from the door charge, silent auction and any additional financial or food contributions will be donated in support of Operation Turkey. The holiday fundraiser provides Thanksgiving meals to Prince William County families at SERVE, a local homeless shelter.
Water’s End Brewery is located at 12425 Dillingham Sq., Lake Ridge. To learn more about Beers $4 Vets and Thrashgiving, visit Water’s End Brewery’s official Facebook page here.
