A Place to Call Home

A Place to Call Home

DRIPPING SPRINGS — Everyone wants to have a place where they feel welcome. That’s especially true for veterans and first responders, who want to communicate with peers who understand what they are going through.

At 12 Fox Beer Co. in Dripping Springs, owner and veteran Joe Hogge started conducting fireside chats from 7 to 9 p.m. on Mondays to create an open environment for uncomfortable, yet needed conversations.

The idea of fireside chats came about during the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, but it was not officially formed until a disabled Special Forces veteran and loyal 12 Fox Beer Co. customer took his life earlier this year.

The meeting happened at the beginning of the ice storm on Jan. 30. Hogge said that despite it being 28 degrees outside, 28 people still showed up.

“I think that first meeting was really for me. They came for me,” Hogge said.

Contributed Photo
Despite the grueling winter temperature, several people showed up at the first fireside chat back in January at 12 Fox Beer Co.[/caption]

“[We] are closed on Mondays, so when they get there, it’s just us. They said that they just want this for now, they just want to build the community and keep spreading the word [to] get people out there. On average, we still have 30-plus people that show up every Monday,” he continued. “There are probably 10 to 15 of us who are there all the time and we are all looking to help others, but then we have 40 to 50 other guys who rotate in and out.”

Hogge said that he is trying to create a place that people can call their own.

“I’ve had others get up and talk about their problems. One of them was, ‘Hey, I’m good today. I’m great. I’ve been good for a couple of months, but I don’t know what curveball is coming in June,’” Hogge said. “I’m trying to create that real community, that real brotherhood or sisterhood and let them know that just because you are out, that doesn’t go away.”

In order to respect their safety and privacy, only veterans and first responders are welcome to attend the fireside chats at this time.

“They still want to feel safe. I think outsiders and people who want to come help might scare them off. I’ve started a little list and I’m keeping it off to the side of people who want to help or they have this to donate. People keep coming up and saying, ‘Hey, I want to buy dinner next Monday’ … The community can help out that way,” Hogge said.

The brewery is looking to welcome families to the meetings sometime in April.

12 Fox Beer Co. is located at 4700 W. Fitzhugh Road in Dripping Springs.

For questions about the fireside chats, please call 512-626-4458.