As FC Cincinnati and its supporters make a run at getting into Major League Soccer, backers of Columbus' existing MLS club are trying not to lose theirs. Their hopes could rely on an interesting savior -- beer.
NBC Sports' Nicholas Mendola reports that BrewDog, a Scottish-based craft beer company with operations in Columbus, is rolling out a new beer called Crew Brew, with all proceeds going toward saving the Columbus Crew from being moved to Austin, Texas.
Crew Chairman Anthony Precourt announced in October that the team would need a new stadium or it might have to make the move.
At BrewDog, we want to help #SaveTheCrew - We passionately believe that the best people to own things, are the people who care most about them https://t.co/8gFvgBK2RI pic.twitter.com/peH8KxpzBh
— James Watt (@BrewDogJames) November 13, 2017
BrewDog explains on its website that its owners are big soccer fans and have joined the #SaveTheCrewefforts with local officials. The page explains the new Crew-themed brew:
"We are also delighted to announce that we have brewed a brand new beer to help the cause too. We have brewed a beer called CREW BREW, a 4.4% golden ale and all the profits from the sale of this beer will be donated to SAVE THE CREW. This new beer will be draft only and will launch at BrewDog DogTap on Friday the 17th of November and will then be available to ship to our customers in Columbus on Monday 20th November."
The site goes so far to say the brewery could even be interested in some level of ownership of the Crew, or at least getting ownership into the hands of the fans:
"We would love to facilitate and be involved in a potential purchase of the Columbus Crew from it’s (sic) current ownership structure and then immediately look to sell at least half of it back to the fans through crowdfunding."
Columbus' MLS struggle comes as FC Cincinnati is scrambling to present a plan to become one of four cities to get expansion teams in the league.
