The DC beer community lost our friend Ben Tolkan this past October after an epic five-and-a-half-year battle with Ewing’s Sarcoma. A charismatic mainstay within the community, Ben worked the bar at Pizzeria Paradiso before representing Brooklyn Brewery and DC Brau in the District. To honor his memory and his inspiring contribution to the DC craft beer scene, seven local breweries, along with longtime friends and family members, have come together to create a special American Pale Ale called Living the Dream, available in limited quantities at all Pizzeria Paradiso locations, starting on Friday, December 11th.

Pizzeria Paradiso will donate 100% of the proceeds from the sale of Living the Dream to the Sarcoma Foundation of America in Ben’s name. In conjunction with the beer’s release on December 11th, Pizzeria Paradiso is adding a special pizza to their menus at all four locations in honor of Ben called the Quartroni (Pepperoni, Pecorino, Grana Padano, Mozzarella, Minced Garlic, Parsley). 

“Ben had bright eyes and a smile that made me smile," says Pizzeria Paradiso’s owner Chef Ruth Gresser. “His arms embraced you with a mix of Midwestern kindness and New York wit that made you want to hold on for a good long while.” 

For more about Ben Tolkan and the Beer for Ben project, please visit dcbrau.com/livingthedream.