Free Beer Movement in Action - 50 Free Beers!

Rochester Rhinos Stadium

Editor's Note: We LOVE to hear about your Free Beer Movement in action. Whenever and wherever you're buying beers to bring the beautiful game to soccer newbies we want to here it. Send your stories to us at freebeermovement(at)gmail.com. We'll even send you one of our FBM stickers for your troubles!

From Robert Elder / Rochester, NY

"Your movement might be the best thing since sliced bread! Every single time I implement it in our American Outlaw chapter home bar or at any other soccer specific event it brings people together.

My latest use of the Free Beer movement was at our local Rochester Rhinos game. It was $1 beer night at the stadium and who does not like a $1 beer? Well 50 lucky people standing behind me were ecstatic when they found out their $1 was a free beer. As each person came up I was there to welcome them and thank them for coming to the game.

I also then proceeded to invite them to the USMNT game vs Guadeloupe in an effort to turn their night into a really special event. I have to assume it worked because I lost count of all the USA fans at the bar that night. The place was rocking and the Rochester guys delivered in a big way but it all started with some free beer at the local Rhinos game.

Like I said... best thing since sliced bread!"

Get the NEW Free Beer Movement "Pint Glass" shirt! Only from Objectivo.com

Free Beer Movement in Action - The USMNT are CLASS ACTS!

Editor's Note: We LOVE to hear about your Free Beer Movement in action. Whenever and wherever you're buying beers to bring the beautiful game to soccer newbies we want to here it. Send your stories to us at freebeermovement(at)gmail.com. We'll even send you one of our FBM stickers for your troubles!


By Andrew Ruppar / Jacksonville, FL

Andrew's game face.

To be fair, I would be a fan of the USMNT no matter who takes the field, but after the last game against Panama, for this fan it was a victory. For my birthday weekend, I drove down from Jacksonville, FL that day to catch the Tampa match with my girlfriend (her first match). We arrived at the game, as early as we could to have fun with all the arriving fans and supporters. I posted comments and pictures of the "pre-game community" and another group of friends ended up piling their family into the car to make it down just before kickoff for their first match as well. However, this story isn't about before the game or the score.

Its not hard to find stories about today's top athletes being less-than role-models for the fans. Some player maybe snubs a kid with a pen or blows up at someone getting too close with a camera. As a player you just cannot sign every ball or stop for every photo request, and hey...everyone, athletes included, sometimes just have bad days. That is what made that night so amazing, and I could not be happier that this is the team and players that I get to support. After Tampa, the broadcasters, blogs, and social media portals instantly start chiming in with their post-game and player feedback, and it was a common assessment that this was one of those "bad days".

Dempsey posing with wedding guests.

After the game, I made it back to the hotel lobby restaurant. It became an impromptu meeting point for other fans all making their way back after the match. Supporters were meeting and greeting and finding out who came the farthest or who were the newest. Everyone was happy to just be sharing a few post-match pints and we were already talking about how things will play out in the next round of the Gold Cup and watching the highlights on Fox Soccer Channel. (As it turns out, it just happened to be the same hotel shared by the team and I am sure there are VIP entrances where they could be bussed in and make it to their room without having to bump elbows post game with the fans.)

Now, I would like to think I played it off well and maybe gave a casual stone-cold "what's up" nod while walking past a player or two, but I have seen the pictures and I was grinning like an 11 year old girl at a Bieber concert. Suddenly, I notice that Howard, Dempsey, Bocanegra, Cherundolo, Agudelo....I had to stop counting...are hanging out with the fans. Lines and lines of kids with balls, families with cameras, American Outlaws with jerseys, and I am not kidding, at one point a large Indian-style wedding gets out at the hotel and some lucky couple has the guys in their wedding album, all walking right up to the players who without missing a beat sign and pose for anyone asking. This goes on for hours (or whatever the official team curfew is...which ever is less Bob). After that game, they could have easily walked up to their rooms or even just come down for a brief post-match meet-and-greet and no one would have thought any less. Instead, most of the players parked themselves down at the tables right in the middle of all of the surprised fans.

Pints for players? Yeah, that's definitely
 the FBM way as well. (Cherundolo and Howard)

Now, I know that normally the FBM is about getting a beer for a new fan and "Build American soccer, one beer it a time" and I have bought a few of those rounds, but I thought it was equally appropriate that night, when you happen to run into players like Howard, Cherundolo, and the Deuce, you put a nice cold one down on their table as well.

I don't think any of the supporters I ran into that night talked about the game, we all just talked about the games coming up (and who for the LOVE OF GOD has a spare pen), and maybe that is the difference between a fan and a supporter. I know that plenty of people have things to say about match and players, but after watching those guys both on and off the field, I could not have been more proud that this was my team. It might have been one of those "bad days", but for me and plenty of surprised fans old and new, that night was one of the best.

Andrew and "The Legend"

Get the NEW Free Beer Movement "Pint Glass" shirt! Only from Objectivo.com

Germans Love the Free Beer Movement - Part 3

We've chronicled before the Germans' love affair for the FBM. Perhaps its because they're very interested in the growth of soccer in the United States, or more likely, they really, really, love their beer.

St. Pauli, newbies to the Bundesliga top flight this season have a knack for showing creativity with beer (and thusly were a large part of our 2010 "Persons of the Year" award). In an April Fool's Day match against Schalke they used said creativity to voice their displeasure over the refereeing during a 2-0 loss where St. Pauli saw a two players sent off and a disallowed goal for offsides.

One enterprising fan must have took the referee's poor game for hostility to the sport and thought he needed a free beer to warm up to the game. Two minutes from full time one of the match's linesmen was hit smack in the back of the neck with a full brew.

The Footage:

Free Beer Movement in action?

The center official didn't find his colleague's beer bath all too welcoming and abandoned the match and the German Football Federation also didn't have a sense of humor (and throwing things isn't all that cool so we kinda, sorta agree) decided that St. Pauli's next match would be played behind closed doors.

They delay in the ruling, however, allowed "the Pirates of the League" (yes, that's their real nickname... which we suppose makes loads more sense now) to catch one more match before the ban took effect for their next home match on April 23 against Werder Bremen. St. Pauli fans had a chance to show their "disagreement" with the league's ruling unveiling the above banner declaring (the line below) "Shut Up And Drink - Back of the Neck".

Apparently they thought the linesman would've appreciated the effort after a long match of screwing them over.

Our take?

Beer is a weapon of good and not evil. The brew probably would've been better served washing down the frustration with the match officials' calling of the game.

But.... 1000 bonus points for that banner. Maybe the "hooligans" with two beers for "Os" should be the next Free Beer Movemnt shirt...

[H/T to Dirty Tackle]

Support the Movement. Get the Free Beer Movement T-Shirt. Only from Objectivo.com

Free Beer Movement in Action: Doc from Seattle

(Editor's Note: We've asked for your "Free Beer Movement in Action" stories and pictures and you've responded! We believe in the idea that free beer is a crucial element in building a long-lasting and passionate base of soccer fans in America.  Those that have subscribed to the "free beer philosophy" are helping us shore up our thesis that "free beer works" by sending in their evidence from across the country.

WE STILL WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Send us your stories and pictures of the FBM in Action in your neck of the woods and we'll send you some FREE Free Beer Movement stickers for your troubles.)

Free Beer Movement in Seattle


So I've been an avid soccer fan for darn near most my life, catching USL and PDL games in the Seattle area before soccer was even "cool".

I've now evolved into a full-fledged supporter, for both my beloved Sounders and the US national teams. During the World Cup, remember that article on "The Onion"? Yeah, I was that guy in my work. I had the Sounders ID badge holder, the Sounders coffee cup, flags in my office, bracket posters, the whole nine yards.
Hell, I work in a hospital, and I'd ask the patients if I could switch their channel during the US v England match!

Anyway, eventually the Pied Piper routine worked, and soccer fans started coming my way. So I'd bring them out to our favorite soccer bar, the Cloverleaf, and ply them with wonderful Northwest microbrews. No Bud Lights on my dime! And now I've got them hooked! I don't have the shirt, or the gear, or anything else, but what I've got is a passport to the most globally recognized and supported sport in the world - and it comes in pints!

Cheers,

Doc Glen
ECS and American Outlaws

Support the Movement. Get the Free Beer Movement T-Shirt. Only from Objectivo.com

Free Beer Match Day Eight: The Movement Gets Blown (Away in the Windy City)

The Free Beer Movement is crashing Chicago and we want our USMNT fans to be a part of it all. Come find us at any of the events we're attending and get some FBM stickers for you to make all your friends jealous with!

As a proud member of the American Outlaws we're following their itinerary for most of this epic international friendly weekend: Friday night party, pre-game bars, and pre-game tailgate; plus filling that supporter's section to the brim!

Friday

Chicago Fire 13th Anniversary Party 2pm to Game Kick Off

Fire fans we're practicing our journalism skillz by covering Section 8, the Fire Independent Supporters Association in a story for the FBM site in a feature. We'll be interviewing supporters, including Section 8 chairperson Tom Dunmore.

Columbus Crew vs. Chicago Fire, 8pm

Looking for us patrolling Section 8 and the rest of the match as these two Eastern Conference rivals battle it out! Continuing our work profiling Section 8 and the Fire organization.

Maybe we'll meet Frankie Hejduk and Brian McBride, too!

American Outlaws Night Before Party

We'll be meeting up with our fellow AO members at Small Bar Fullerton for the rest of the night. Drinkers gotta practice for the match tomorrow as well!





- $4 Carlsbergs
- $6 BullSchlitz (Schlitz Tall Boy & Shot)

Address:
1415 W. Fullerton
Chicago, IL
773-525-2727

Saturday

The Weather Mark Tavern

The FBM will be meeting all our AO brothers and sisters at the Weather Mark then marching to the Stadium/Tailgate from there.


Address:
1503 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60605-2812
(312) 588-0230
www.weathermarktavern.com

American Outlaws Tailgate


Location will be on Waldron Deck.(Gates to the stadium will open at 5:30)

Drinks (beer for 21+) and Food will be provided for donations only. Please help our cause! and spread the word…


Look for AO banners and members, we have spots reserved.

Game Time: USMNT vs. Poland at Soldier Field, 7pm

Join us in supporting our boys in red, white, and blue! Sing loud and proud!

Post Game

Back to The Weather Mark????

We'll have FBM stickers all weekend! Slam a beer with the Movement that's "Building American Soccer One Beer at a Time"!!!!


Support the Movement. Get the Free Beer Movement T-Shirt. Only from Objectivo.com

Free Beer Movement in Action: John from Florida

(Editor's Note: We've asked for your "Free Beer Movement in Action" stories and pictures and you've responded! We believe in the idea that free beer is a crucial element in building a long-lasting and passionate base of soccer fans in America.  Those that have subscribed to the "free beer philosophy" are helping us shore up our thesis that "free beer works" by sending in their evidence from across the country.

WE STILL WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Send us your stories and pictures of the FBM in Action in your neck of the woods and we'll send you some FREE Free Beer Movement stickers for your troubles.)

Free Beer Movement in Spain, Germany, and Florida (that's a country, right?)

Just wanted to add my two cents. I'm a writer, so sorry about the length. I tried to keep it modest.

World Cup 2002, Spain:

I had the best seats at this game. Actually, the best seats I've ever had at any sporting event ever. Three rows behind the USA bench. I was hoarse for three days after screaming directions to Bruce Arena, who for some reason ignored me.

German Pub in Spain: I was in Spain with a large group of American college students (and I was recent high school grad, in a place with no recognizable drinking age) during this World Cup. I stayed in the city of Valencia, and there was a German/Celtic pub (it's name is Max Max, it's small but epic) that gave away free t-shirts with 8 pints of beer. Naturally we all tried to see who could collect the most shirts. We came to watch nearly ever US game there, filling the place with Americans. They were shocked that so many Americans cared about the game so much. But we showed our passion when we were robbed in the quarters against Germany, of all people. We were livid. Such an obvious handball. The German patrons felt our pain, and loved our passion. We stayed there and traded soccer stories and bought each other pints. The game ended with the sun up, but I stumbled out at night, with a shirt tied around my head.

World Cup 2006, Germany:

While working in Germany for the World Cup, I often found myself in unfamiliar places with unfamiliar people speaking unfamiliar languages. I spoke to (or made hand gestures with) someone from every livable continent in the world. Even though I was there with a few dozen family members, it was not uncommon to find myself flying solo for a night or two. I am not the type to sit alone in my hotel room, so when I have spare time I venture out into the city and try to find new friends.

My cousins and I right before USA vs. Ghana, World Cup 2006. Great part about this pic was obviously the ridiculous sized beers. Even better, every time my beer was almost gone, a random person (usually an American, but a German did also) would refill my brew from their own. Kinda makes me tear up a bit when I think about.

South Americans on the Train: On a red eye train from Munich to Berlin, I found it hard to sleep, likely because my sleeping patterns were non-existent due to many nights/morning spent at the bar/pub/disco. I could not sit in my chair any longer, so I got up and wandered to the back of the train, where they typically serve food. When I got to the smoky car, I found two gentlemen, un gordo y un flaco, talking passionately in Spanish. I speak a little Espanol, and I understood they were talking about soccer. The language barrier was pretty steep, but after we bought each other some (over-priced) beer, the laughs and the stories poured out. Turns out they were soccer announcers there to cover the games for live radio broadcasts (the fast-speaking ones that scream "Gooooooooooooool!" He even did a fake broadcast to show me). We spoke for hours, and I got off at my destination thoroughly tipsy after being entertained by soccer nuts from South America. 

Random Germans: I spent the majority of my time in Germany based in Munich. I had a large group of family come to Munich for some games, and I showed them the good spots for nightlife. One night, while dancing (and sweating profusely; most German places don't have/need air-conditioning) with my cousins, I started to talk with some guys at the bar who noticed we were American (we knew the words to the songs being played). He introduced me to his girlfriend, and some other guys he was with. At the end of the night/beginning of the morning, we were still (drunkenly) talking, and my fam was ready to head back to the hotel. He invited me back to his place and was going to make everyone breakfast. We hopped on a train, and I found myself in a suburb of Munich with a bunch of people who don't speak English, and we were still drinking beer at 7:30am. The pictures from that night all have me smiling. Luckily a few of them spoke English, but by the look in my oft-crossed eyes in the pictures, I'm not sure I understood any language. I met up with those folks a few more times before the end of the cup, and we always compared stories about how soccer is viewed in our countries.

This was during the opening game, that amazing spectacle of football that was Germany vs. Costa Rica (4-3 Germany I believe). Braids were still fresh.

Is that my beer?: I just happened to be in Berlin when the Germans clinched their spot in the knockout rounds. The streets of Berlin erupted like a beer volcano. People were spinning out their tires, honking their horns, cheering, dancing, playing loud music, and singing until the sun came up. My uncle and I had just sold our tickets to a game we weren't interested in seeing, and were wandering the streets, soaking up the atmosphere. We were looking for a place to buy a beer, but every place had a line longer than we wanted to wait. Then suddenly it seemed like a riot was breaking out as a group of Germans rushed an ambulance and started pushing on it's side, tilting it back and forth. After much screaming, yelling, and cheering, they stopped. Then I saw why they were doing that, the ambulance driver stuck his whole body out the window and revealed a huge German flag and a bigger smile. During all this commotion, people started running to see what was happening. I saw a guy leave his freshly-bought beer on a window sill and run over. I did not need to buy a beer after that.

World Cup 2010, USA:

My "I-don't-watch-sports" Friend: I decided to start an American Outlaws chapter in Orlando, FL. I was bummed about not getting to South Africa, and I was determined to re-create the passion of the last two World Cups I'd seen over seas at home. My family did not need to be swayed, even had my father and mother out for some games, and yes they cheer loudly. But the challenge was getting my friends out to see some games, the friends that either don't watch sports or just don't follow soccer. One of my friends admittedly just doesn't watch sports. He's a computer guy, and he parties, but he's not the type to turn a game on and watch by himself.

I offered to buy him a round or two if he would just come out to one game... that game was US vs. Algeria. He missed the first half, but got there just in time to get settled and enjoy the match. He understood the anguish on my face as My Boys faced elimination. I was having a really hard time enjoying the match. He was enjoying seeing my stress about a game. But when LD10 scored THAT goal, he was running around with the rest of us, smiling and laughing in disbelief. We were standing on top of the bar fist-pumping, and I was nearly in tears. He hugged strangers, high-fived everyone in sight. Then he told me he would for-sure be there for the next game, and he was, on-time and everything. And he was just as pissed that we lost. He still doesn't watch sports, but he watches the USMNT.

Cheers,

John A. Paz


Support the Movement. Get the Free Beer Movement T-Shirt. Only from Objectivo.com

Free Beer Movement in Action: "Danny Beerseed" in Austin

The Free Beer Movement was invited to join up at a FREE BEER event for this weekend's Austin Aztex match against NSC Minnesota Stars. The local real estate firm CW Clay is getting into the Brazil market and hosted a Brazilian Independence Day party in conjunction with Satruday's Aztex match.

Being all things free beer and American soccer they reached out to us to help spread the word and lure soccer fans and soccer newbies in Austin to the game. CW Clay would cover the cost of the beer (awesome!) and we'd get to enjoy in it with loads of our newest soccer fan friends.

Brazilian trio Magna Rosa worked the crowd as they enjoyed two fine beers from Shiner Brewery, Bock and Blonde.

The Aztex didn't let down the fans, both old and new, as they cruised to a 2-0 victory on the night to re-take first place in the USSF Division Two (USL Division) standings.

Here are some pictures of "Free Beer in Action" and our contribution to our series of the same title. (Have a "FBM in Action" story/pictures of your own? We want them!)

The epic FBM banner makes another public appearance.

Right behind the kegs, of course! Where else!?!?

Members of the Aztex's supporter's group, Chantico's Army and the lone Stars fan in attendance chit chat.

Inside that cup is pure Shiner delicious-ness.

Brazilian trio Magna Rosa kept the crowds' ears happy.

Newbies enjoying the brew.

Longhorn and Aztex fans (football and futbol, respectively) gather under the banner of beer.

Pretty decent turn out (partial crowd shot). Everyone loves free beer. Brought in plenty of passers-by, too.

Just one more... then we'll head over to the game....

Bam! FBM representing at the game as well!

Support the Movement. Get the Free Beer Movement T-Shirt. Only from Objectivo.com

Free Beer Movement In Action: Matthew from San Francisco

(Editor's Note: When we asked our readers for their "Free Beer Movement in Action" stories we sent out an e-mail to several of our soccer friends as well. We had no idea that we'd get such a wonderful response and write up from one of our closest, Matthew, from the absolutely fantastic publication, The Shin Guardian.


For those of you that have never visited, The Shin Guardian, please head over there as soon as you're finished here. By far one of the hardest-working, best written soccer publications on the Internet today.


We asked Matthew for his story of free beer in action and we got a great write-up that perfectly frames our mission and why we're so passionate about soccer in America.)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

TSG passed this (old) FBM sticker to one of the security guys at the Home Depot Center
when we met Mathew (and others) last January to take in the USMNT vs. Honduras.

There is a common axiom in business that maintains the following, "Certain businesses can only be started by certain people."

Microsoft and Bill Gates come to mind or Apple and Steve Jobs.

Not only are these leaders shrewd visionaries, but they have an uncanny sense about their market domain to decipher what product it wants and, perhaps more importantly, is the timing correct.

On no lesser a scale, add Dan Wiersema from the Free Beer Movement into that list. He not of the millions, but of the viable product that doesn't earn him the gate mansion.

As anyone can tell you, soccer in the United States is not synonymous with "big ratings," "major advertising dollars" or "large exposure."

With the advent of a large amalgamation of entertainment options (both media and devices), Americans in particular have a world of "what should I watch" options to choose from. Couple that with the smashmouth value of the NFL and pour in the negative connotations about soccer and cutting through the clutter of entertainment for "American soccer" is at best a challenge.

And that is what makes Dan's creation, The Free Beer Movement, so very compelling.

Dan combined his enthusiasm for the libation with a passion for soccer and created a "movement" around it--not a publication like The Shin Guardian, not a fan group like the American Outlaws, but a full fledged movement predicated on growth that will not earn him a nickel.

In one fell swoop, with a simple axiom of "Building American Soccer One Beer at a Time," FBM removes the struggle for soccer to stand out amongst the competition and merely allows soccer to compete on the generosity of the fans and having a good time.

The message, "A soccer event is a good time," not "Soccer is a growing sport, so you should watch" or "MLS is making headway on catching up with European leagues, so you should watch."

No one that I know of asked Dan to do this and Franke Hedjuk as far as I know has not signed on to be the spokesperson.

That said the MLS Soccer web site as well as some local news organizations both ran features on the Free Beer Movement and that is should be lauded.

You don't see "Free Beer Movements" in the NFL. You don't see them associated to the NHL; I'm not sure why and that's not a putdown. The NHL could use the re-growth.

Dan asked me to tell you my "Free Beer Movement" story.

My story is not necessary about buying a beer for someone who thinks Makélelé is some type of Hawaiian guitar.

Most of my friends either play or watch soccer and the next circle of friends typically don't need any cajoling to see a game.

My Free Beer Movement story is about Dan himself, who perfectly timed his product "The Free Beer Movement" when American soccer could really use a grassroots methodology not specifically associated with the quality of the game to help grow the sport.

The best thing I can do, on The Shin Guardian, or when I visit Danny Coyles for a game is, sure, offer to buy a beer for a newbie if they exist, but then actually tell them about what Dan is doing. When I do tell folks they typically say something that is effectively "What a great idea."

Dan's idea, perfectly timed, perfectly innovated.

So do the same if you would, spread the word.....and buy Dan a beer next time you see it. He's earned it.

Thanks Dan.....

Addendum:

There is a fun story from TSG's earlier days. Dan was one of our first readers and one of the things we try to do at The Shin Guardian is curate the commentary so it's all discussion-focused and not promotional.

Well Dan kept linking to his Free Beer Movement story and I was like, "Bro, you need to calm down on the links to your site. It's about the discussion."

But then I realized that Dan's site traffic is not a personal trophy, he's actually quite nuts about growing his endeavor with no pay or really not much notoriety associated to it.

Dan now has a permanent sponsorship, free of charge, on The Shin Guardian's Beer & Soccer Series page (until North Coast Brewery comes calling). I think that makes our content stronger.

Matthew
The Shin Guardian

Support the Movement. Get the Free Beer Movement T-Shirt. Only from Objectivo.com

Share Your Free Beer Movement Stories

The Free Beer Movement is an idea. The idea that of all the things that will help propel American soccer forward and into the mainstream consciousness of this nation; free beer is the answer.

There can be dollar hot dog night, ladies night, youth club afternoons, but maybe, just maybe it's simpler than that. Maybe it's just a bit sillier than that.

Maybe all it will take is for one person to extend the offer of a free beer or two or three to a friend, family member, or co-worker to take in a soccer match from the comforts of one's home, the familiar surroundings of your favorite bar, or the excitement of seeing it for real at the stadium.

"Build American soccer, one beer it a time." That's our motto. Simple. Silly. Smart? Sure.

But the idea of the Free Beer Movement is only a strong as the people that believe it that idea. We've seen in the last year thousands of people visiting the website, hundreds of "fans" on Facebook, and hundred of other "followers" on Twitter. We've been covered by both local and national media alike. That's all well and good, but it's the people that make the Movement.

An idea is only a strong as the evidence that one has to support it.

The Free Beer Movement is a grassroots movement. The Free Beer Movement is you. We're only as strong as the people that subscribe to the idea that beer is the best way to lure Americans to the sport of soccer.

That's why we're asking you, the backbone of the Free Beer Movement, the people that are doing the work to "build American soccer, one beer at a time" to share your stories (and pictures) of the Movement in action.

You don't have to be a modern-day Hemingway with your words or have the photographer's eye of Ansel Adams to support the idea of the Free Beer Movement.

But without your stories and your photos as the supporting evidence that the Free Beer Movement is "what it will take" to push American soccer to the next level we're just a guy with a website and an a hope.

You've been to U.S. National Team qualifiers, lived and died by the Nats during the World Cup, you've crowded bars and parking lots across the nation to support your local Major League Soccer or other local teams, you've put a few extra beers in the fridge and invited friends over to catch a game. This is where the Free Beer Movement lives.The idea of the Free Beer Movement is in many of us whether you know it or are actively trying or not.

The stories, the places, the people are all incredible elements of the Free Beer Movement in action and we'd love to hear from you. And for your words or pictures we'd like to offer each and every person who submits something one of our Free Beer Movement stickers (just like the crest on the site). It's not much, but it's our way of saying "thank you" to the people that are making the Free Beer Movement apart of this great American soccer world.

If the Free Beer Movement is going to continue the phenomenal growth we seen in it's first year we need those faithful to the idea of it to help.

Please send an e-mail to freebeermovement@gmail(dot)com with your stories (no matter how long or short) and/or pictures of the Free Beer Movement in action.

We thank you all for your efforts no matter if you've brought one or one hundred people closer to soccer in America.

- "Danny Beerseed"

Photo Credit: FBM member Zach

Support the Movement. Get the Free Beer Movement T-Shirt. Only from Objectivo.com

Photo Essay: Free Beer Movement in Action - The Free Beer Movement "Dollar Beer Bash"

On Tuesday, for the US-Brazil International Friendly, the Free Beer Movement, in association with the American Outlaws and the local club, the Austin Aztex hosted the "Beat Brazil Dollar Beer Bash" at Mister Tramps Sports Pub in Austin, Texas.

While the Nats, unfortunately, didn't hold up their end of the "beat Brazil" part, the FBM followed through on it's "dollar beers" in emphatic fashion. Mister Ts was packed to capacity for the match and the Free Beer Movement's first major event (outside the "Free Beer Match Days" we've attended). We handed out well over a hundred beers on our tab and loads of great prizes from all of our partners. 

We were super-stoked to be able to have this huge event and go further in sharing our idea of what the Free Beer Movement is and what kind of future we're trying to build for American soccer. We got some great press from the Austin-American Statesman before the event and we're looking to keep spreading the good word where ever we can.

Most importantly it was about American soccer fans coming together, bringing along newbies, and sharing in supporting our National Team (no matter the result!) and making our soccer community in Austin (and everywhere) stronger and more united. 

To put on events like this and have people show up (not just for the cheap beer!) just re-enforces  all the time and energy we put into the Free Beer Movement and how much we love talking to all the people that help spread our message at home in Austin and across the US.

There was only one "official" Free Beer Movement party last night, but across this nation, from the tailgate at the New Meadowlands Stadium, to American Outlaws chapter bars in various cities, to the living rooms of your homes the FBM lives on.

Thank you.

Hey... that's a nice place you got here.

Things we've only dreamed of. Having our name in lights. Like Broadway.... only there's a Church's Chicken right net door.

Bam! Yeah, we got a banner made. It fuckin' rocks. (Guys at Sign Satisfaction donated it to the Movement)

Danny Beerseed (in the Waldo hat) talks up the Movement. There was also some random distributor handing out free beer samples. We had no objections.

The back room of the American Outlaws: Austin Chapter Bar. Eyeballs locked on the 156" screen.
Packed to capacity as usually by kick off.

Various wall accouterments of American soccer adorning the walls of Mister Tramps.

At halftime the FBM raffled off items of their own as well as scarves from the American Outlaws, and loads of goodies from the local USSF Division 2 (first place) side Austin Aztex.

This guy was very excited to win some Austin Aztex tickets.

Take the previous guy and times it by two and you have this guy's excitement. People love free shit.

Here are your tickets. To..... MY GUN SHOW! Pew Pew!
Poor chump she's with didn't even know I slipped her my phone number, too.

Support the Movement. Get the Free Beer Movement T-Shirt. Only from Objectivo.com

Bubba Likes Free Beer: Free Beer Movement in Action

We hate to dredge up any lingering bad memories of the USMNT's run in South Africa (Ghana? Whaaaa?) so we'll turn the ol' memory machine a bit further back to the epic Algeria match and the post-game euphoria that transpired.

None other than former President Bill Clinton was in attendance at the match and took the opportunity to visit with the boys in the locker room.

Clinton, a soccer newbie, declared his relative ignorance of the sport, but admitted that he's really enjoying it:

"I'm still learning. … I knew nothing about soccer until I went to school in England," he said, referring to his days at Oxford from 1968 to 1970, then adding, "I've fallen in love with soccer at my very advanced age."

Enter USMNT captain, and all-around hunk, Carlos Bocanegra to do the Free Beer Movement's legwork.

Clinton, again:

“They said, ‘Hang around until we finish all this and drink a beer with us. Nobody ever does that.’ And so I said O.K. So I stayed for like an hour-and-a-half or something. It was amazing.”

For Bocanegra it was a pretty big moment:

“Former President Clinton came in the locker room afterwards and had a few beers with us. And that was probably the highlight of my life. I’m not gonna lie. That was pretty sweet.”

And, as we've proven time and time again, free beer works as President Clinton re-arranged his schedule to stick around in South Africa to catch the (ultimately) heart-breaking Ghana match.

He even brought his own guest, FBM-style.


Former President Bill Clinton....probably our highest profile convert yet!

Support the Movement. Get the Free Beer Movement T-Shirt. Only from Objectivo.com

Free Beer Stories: Eric from Baltimore

Editor's Note: Here's another part in our continuing series featuring stories from Free Beer Movement members and soccer fans who've used free beer to convert people to the sport in America. Every person who send us their stories and/or pictures gets one of our FBM stickers to do with as they please. If you'd like to share your stories and pictures just shoot us an e-mail at: freebeermovement(at)gmail(dot)com.

By Eric Wheatley, Baltimore Brigade

Two buses, two cities, two teams, and two days to recover.

Two years ago the Baltimore Brigade started when three guys wanted to watch USA matches together. We all have friends that like sports, but none that really liked soccer. So our journey began as many do, seeking like minded individuals to drink beer with and watch soccer. Those three were John Knapp, Stephen Dietrich and I. Sadly, Stephen didn't make the trip. He chose to be the best man at a wedding instead of going to this match. So to think that the Baltimore Brigade started as three, but most recently took over 100 people to a US Soccer match is pretty impressive.

On Saturday May 29th, the Baltimore Brigade packed two charter buses with soccer fans and headed to Philadelphia.
It was the first major road trip of our young supporters group, and turned out to be a huge success. We teamed up with Sláinte Irish Pub (our home bar) and began this journey from historic Fells Point. In full Free Beer Movement fashion, we invited everyone to attend. Die hard soccer fans, rookies and even....British Royal Navy sailors. That's right, British Navy Sailors. The HMS Sutherland is a Type 23 frigate that has been in port, directly across from our home bar for the past week. They purchased the remaining tickets for the match, and 21 sailors joined us on our maiden voyage. The sailors were awesome to hang out with, and loved the American tailgating experience. They have nothing like it in England because of the violence and fighting that is often associated with football matches. The British Navy consisted of sailors from all over Britain. The English guys, of course, believed that we will be destroyed in two weeks and the Welsh and Scots hope we kick England's ass.

We arrived at the Linc around 11am, parked in lot M, set up the cornhole boards and got busy. The American tailgate truly is a fantastic experience. Nowhere else in the world do sports fans congregate in such a way; friend and foe together, drinking, eating & playing games together. For three hours we hung out mingling with fans from across the country and foes from across the ocean in an amazing celebration of beer and football. I refer to the English as foes, only on the pitch. The United States has no greater friend in the world then England, and we are lucky to have them.

Remember that on June 12th.

After an hour or two, I departed the Baltimore tailgate and wandered around. I ventured over the Lot N, and ran into a a few good friends. The first one I saw, was Alex Singer. He's a Baltimore Guy, but was in Philly for a bachelor party, so he didn't ride the bus up with us. Alex greeted me with a boiling hot Smirnoff Ice Raspberry Burst that he has had in his pocket for a couple of hours awaiting my arrival. He told me of Bros icing Bros at the Czech match on Tuesday, so I knew that I had to take a knee and chug. And trust me, chugging the HOT Ice, on one knee in a parking lot is no easy chore. Also in the same lot, right next to where Alex was set up, was another good friend, Eric Shertz, from SOB. He offered me a hot dog and beer, we chatted about the match, coaching his son's team, the World Cup, Cornhole, Bro's Icing Bros and everything else in the merry world of a US Soccer tailgate. Oh yeah, about this time, Alex's friend approached me to ask where we were sitting. I pulled out my ticket to show him mine, he pulled out...another ice! Crap! Third time being iced today. I really hope this is a passing fad...


I knew that my time was up in lot N, so I headed back to the Baltimore Brigade tailgate to begin our march into the stadium.

We packed up the cornhole, put away the beer and marched into section 130, right behind the goal with the rest of the American Outlaws fans from across the country. The atmosphere at this game was one of the best that I have ever attended. Smoke bombs went off pretty often, scarves were on full display, we sang the entire match, and I saw very few people sitting. Plenty of other sites have covered the match, so I won't bore you with those details. This site is about beer and the American soccer experience, and if you missed this one, you missed a doozey. The send off match is the pinnacle of matches to attend (well, on home soil at least.) After 4 years of qualifying matches in brutal environments, to give one last hoo-rah to the boys, to say thank you, and good luck, then this match, this venue, this crowd and this result could not have been any better. We won the game, and I hung out longer than I should have to see the boys off.


So after the match TRULY ended, I headed back to my bus. I rounded the corner of lot N, and walked towards lot M. I saw Justin Coughlin of American Outlaws DC Chapter, so I stopped and said Hi. We spoke for maybe 30 seconds, before I noticed that my bus was pulling out of the lot! What??

I know that we said, "We will not wait for anyone, but COME ON!" It is 4:35, and I am literally five minutes late. Apparently, everyone else on the bus thinks that the match is over when the final whistle blows. I feel that the match isn't over until the team walks over to the supporters section. This is why I was late. I stayed to sing a few more songs, they left after the final whistle, which is fine, I just prefer to stay a little longer. So there I was sprinting across lot M to catch my bus, which planned on leaving me.

They stop, the door opens, and our resident Frenchy, Willy scolds me with his thick French Accent. "What are you doing! You're Late!" (Willy is from France, and was wearing his Les Bleus jersey during the match.) Luckily I made it and the bus trip home went by pretty fast. Everybody had a good buzz and had a wonderful time. Jon provided comic relief via the buses PA System to the delight of most. We collected a couple of hundred bucks for a great charity, the Craig Willinger Fund, and pulled into Fells Point by 7pm and shared our stories with all who would listen.

Poor bloke (British Navy sailor) couldn't handle his liquor.

Overall the experience could not have been any better. The fans were great, the bus drivers were great, the British Navy were great, and the t-shirts from Matt of Objectivo.com were fantastic. I would like to thank Slainte Irish Pub for helping us put this bus trip together, and especially Willy Dely for his continued support and promotion of the Brigade.

If you are in Baltimore, stop by and hang with us! We are at SlaintePub for all USMNT matches.

Support the Movement. Get the Free Beer Movement T-Shirt. Only from Objectivo.com

Free Beer Stories: Jesse from Paraguay

Editor's Note: Today marks the publication of our first "Free Beer Story" from outside the United States. Normally we get stories and pictures from Americans promoting American soccer, but in this case we have an American using Paraguayan soccer to get Americans interested in the sport. And free beer, of course! This week's story comes from Jesse, a sports-fanatic-but-not-soccer-fan-turned-soccer-fanatic-turned-free-beer-mover, who we featured in an interview a few months back.

Got your own "free beer story"? Send us it at freebeermovement @ gmail (dot) com and get a FREE Free Beer Movement sticker!

Some of the teachers here in Paraguay are big fans of one of the local soccer teams called Guarani and regularly attend games. Their excursions usually involve large amounts of beer being consumed prior to the games so I figured that this would be a perfect fit with the ideals of the Free Beer Movement.

We gathered two other teachers and another friend who had not been to a game yet together at the house of one of the fans before the game for the free beer part of the evening. We imbibed some imported Nut Brown Ales, Red Ales, and Golden Ales from Argentina to wash down a nice asado consisting of a large chunk of beef and some spicy chorizo. Having just discovered that these beers were imported they went over especially well as a change of pace from the national beers which all taste suspiciously like Budweiser.

Full of beer and meat we hopped in cabs and made our way to the stadium for the game between Guarani and the defending champions Nacional. Unfortunately for the superfans, Guarani came up on the short end of a 1 - 0 final despite dominating most of the game and having multiple good scoring chances.


Even with the loss, the new recruits had a good time watching the game, listening to and observing the "hinchatas" (crazy supporters groups that some might call gangs), and drinking beer. It was an overall successful night as evidenced by a quote from one of the recruits, "I think I just associate soccer games with being drunk at this point. This is fun, why don't we do it more often?"

Got your own "free beer story"? Send us it at freebeermovement @ gmail (dot) com and get a FREE Free Beer Movement sticker!