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Common John Brewing Co. hosts barbecue fundraiser

As the old saying goes, if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. However, the 90-plus degree temperatures Sunday did not dissuade the 22 different barbecue teams from competing in the first ever Common John Brewing Co. Blues, Brews and Barbecue fundraiser.

The amateur barbecue competition kicked off Sunday afternoon, which offered up free samples for those attending the event which benefitted both the V.F.W. and local first responders.

Brewery founder Lebron Haggard said he could not take credit for the event, which was in the planning stages for the past two to three months.

“Craig Kowlaski and Mike Cardinal are the ones who kind of helped put it together and did all the fundraising and got all the sponsors and stuff to help pay for it,” he said.

With live music by Elijah Boone and 22 different barbecue teams competing, the event not only turned out to be a fun summer event, but also served as a successful fundraiser.

V.F.W. Post 10904 Commander Kim King said when she was shocked to see how many people were at the event when she first arrived.

“It is wonderful support for what we do,” King said. “Often, we have to take money out of our own pockets to do the events that we do for awards and ceremonies and the parade. This is going to make such a difference in not having to do that with our members.”

King said the event also provided an opportunity for community members to ask about the V.F.W. and what they do.

“That is important because I want the community to know we are here as a resource for whatever you need, we are here to help,” she said.

Mike Cardinal, who helped spearhead the event, was also competing with his barbecue during the event.

“We are just a bunch of friends that like to barbecue and smoke meat and I would say pretty much everybody here knows each other,” he said.

Being a first-year event, Cardinal said they limted the number of teams competing to 22, while they work out any kinks and learn how to put on a great event, but he is hopeful to grow the event in the future to perhaps 50 or even 100 teams competing.

Teams were able to compete in three different categories, ribs, brisket and pulled pork, with judging done by representatives from the Manchester Fire Department and Manchester Police Department.

Manchester resident Robert Smartt was able to win top honors for his barbecue pulled pork.

“This is the first competition that I have ever done,” he said. “It is straight up out of Spring Street Market, everything I used on the pork butt is from Spring Street Market.”

Smartt said he is not a competition cook but loves Common John Brewing Co. and wanted to support the V.FW. and first responders.