Kris Leonhardt

Editor

PLOVER – O’so Brewing Company is working to increase funding for Honor Flights throughout the state, by expanding production on their “Never Forgotten Lager” in 2023.

The company will partner with 800 veterans organizations throughout the state to raise funding for their programs.

O’so Brewing was founded by Marc and Katina Buttera in 2007.

 arc was an avid home-brewer and opened O’so after operating a home-brew supply shop.

His appreciation for local veterans dates back to a much younger day.

“I remember growing up around ‘Uncle Rod’ who was a family friend who was a Vietnam veteran who served three tours and told me stories of his experiences while serving. I was just a kid but I felt his pain of those memories and it stuck with me,” he recalled.

He later saw the value in the flight program to honor the veterans and the need for assistance in supporting them.

“We are getting to the era where many Vietnam veterans will be on these flights. They will all be as dear to me as Uncle Rod was,” he added.

“So many veterans have resisted going on the trip thinking they are not deserving of it. Most veterans I have talked to have found real closure by connecting with other veterans on the flight, telling stories and searching out the name of a buddy on the wall who lost his life. Any way we can honor those who risked everything for our country is a no-brainer.”

The idea for the production of the lager to raise funds came from a common alliance.

“A friend of ours Brandon from B’s Taphouse and 2 Doors Down Brewing in Wisconsin Rapids was telling me about how passionate he was about the Honor Flight and how he was raising funds with concerts and other events. With our statewide distribution we thought we could really make an impact by bringing awareness for the Honor Flight coupled with a great easy drinking lager,” Marc recalled.

“The beer is a simple classic light lager that anybody would enjoy, but what makes it unique is giving $2 for every case and $14 for every 1/2bbl sold to the Honor Flight in the area where the sale took place. It feels good to support a great cause while enjoying a great beer.”

In 2022, O’so donated over $8,400 dollars to the Never Forgotten Honor Flight and will expand to assist all honor flight locations in Wisconsin.

This year, they hope to raise $20,000 from sales and will also donate profits from their May run/walk for the Never Forgotten Honor Flight.

Information on the event may be found at https://runsignup.com/Race/WI/Plover/OsoHonorFlightFunRunWalk5k.

The lager is distributed through local beer distributors but may be purchased online www.osobrewing.com.