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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

A day to remember

Rick Bonino

Mad Bomber Brewing, founded by former Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technicians – better known as the bomb squad – is again paying homage to its heritage.

The Hayden brewery’s third annual EOD Memorial Fundraiser on Saturday coincides with the EOD Memorial Weekend at Florida’s Eglin Air Force Base, home of the EOD Memorial Wall (pictured above) honoring those who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Along with live music, barbecue and a new beer release, the day, starting at noon, will build up to a 10 p.m. raffle drawing for a Mossberg MVP Flex bolt-action .223 rifle, which retails for $725. Raffle tickets are $10; you don’t need to be present to win.

All raffle proceeds, along with a portion of taproom sales, will benefit the EOD Warrior Foundation, which provides financial aid and other support for injured or ill EOD personnel, active and veteran, and their families.

The new beer, a fruity, citrusy Recon IPA (6.2 percent alcohol by volume, 85 International Bitterness Units) is described by brewery owner Tom Applegate as the “older, tougher brother” of the brewery’s previous St. Nicholas Pale –named after Staff Sergeant Nicholas Reid, an original Mad Bomber partner who was killed in an explosion in Afghanistan in December 2012.

The first pint of any beer is free on Saturday for those who show military ID, active or retired.