PREVIEW: Freshen up your Father’s Day with lagers, hair cuts, and dad rock at Dad Beer Day
06/20 @ Pint Sized (by DIVE), Saratoga Springs
“While our dads may not always have been trendy, their simple, classic tastes do allow them to be right every so often.”
That’s right, I know you nearly forgot before clicking on this article — this weekend is Father’s Day weekend. Rather than scrambling to get the dad in your life another golfing-related gift card or tool that’ll just take up space in that old garage, bring him out to Pint Sized by DIVE in Saratoga for Dad Beer Day.
Ahead of the event, I spoke to one of the organizers, August Rosa of DIVE Presents, to get the run down on the packed line up and its many partners: Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers, Sloop Brewing Co., the 518 Barber Club, and the Franklin Community Center’s after school program, Project Lift.
The folks from Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers and Sloop Brewing Co. initially reached out to Rosa about a Father’s Day event, as well as connecting him with 518 Barber Club. It was 518 Barber Club who had the idea to tie in the Franklin Community Center, who they’ve supported in the past with events like their holiday toy drive last fall. “It was a no brainer,” Rosa tells me. “All the pieces just fell into place and I was just kind of the puzzle master.”
Part of the celebration for Rosa is supporting the local brews that have been performing well at his locations, the aforementioned Jack’s Abby lagers and Sloop Juice. “Our number one product at Pint Sized, and it’s been this way for a minute, is Jack’s Abby,” Rosa reports, following it up with the fact that Sloop Juice is perennially in their top five as well. As someone who isn’t super familiar with the difference between everything behind the bar, I asked Rosa to explain what truly makes a “dad beer.”
“You know, tastes always change. I mean, dad beers are just popular from 21 to 100. When we first started in craft beer in 2014, people were looking for high gravity stuff, the high ABV stuff —double IPAs, even barley wines — beers that push 10% plus,” he says. “That was a very big trend when I first got involved in this business. That gets fatiguing over time, not saying that there isn't a place and time for that, but really now people are looking to have sessions. I think most lagers are lighter in nature.” While our dads may not always have been trendy, their simple, classic tastes do allow them to be right every so often. (Maybe I should start listening to him about checking the air in my tires, too…)
So, where do dad beers, hair cuts, and an after school program all intersect? That’s where 518 Barber Club comes in. First off, thanks to their suggestion, a dollar from each pour of all Jack’s Abby and Sloop draft beers will go to benefit Project Lift. The Franklin Community Center has a variety of branches that benefit the citizens of Saratoga, from a food pantry on Franklin Street to a free store on Washington Street, as well as safe and affordable rental housing with the Franklin Community Manor and even free tax assistance and various family services.
Project Lift is its own unique, referral-based after school program designed for children grades first through fifth, serving all six of the Saratoga Springs school district elementary schools, as well as a complementary sixth grade program. According to their website, through Project Lift, “Children are supported in their social and emotional growth through open, honest conversations about real-life challenges and everyday experiences. The program emphasizes building confidence, resilience, empathy, communication skills, and healthy boundaries—helping children recognize their own value and develop lasting self-worth.” As anyone with kids understands, it truly takes a village to raise a child, so what better way to celebrate fatherhood than by also celebrating the community organizations that are dedicated to raising the kids alongside you?
Now, back to the 518 Barber Club. One of the most challenging things for a dad to learn is how to do his daughter’s hair. So, when Joe Turco of Sloop Brewing suggested they put on Dad-Daughter braiding lessons with an actual barber, Rosa was all in. With two daughters of his own, he says, “I definitely plan on participating in that and I hope that a lot of other fathers come down, learn about it and enjoy a lager beer afterwards, you know?”
And, finally, with 518 Barber Club in on the action already, Rosa pitched the idea of doing men’s haircuts right there on the patio. Add in The Eugene Tyler Band for a set from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. followed by some dad rock karaoke, and you’ve got your Dad Beer Day. About the karaoke, Rosa jokes, “Let's just get silly with it. I'm going to get a bunch of silly Hawaiian shirts and just let people sing the Eagles and stuff, whatever people want to do.”
Wrapping up, we contemplated what success would look like for this day. Rosa decides, “It’s really just a vibe, right? Do people come out for it? Do people interact with each component of it? We're doing a full schedule of events where I'm hoping that the traffic is good from start to finish. I don't see a reason to not do this every year,” he concludes.
Check out Dad Beer Day this Saturday June 20 at the Saratoga location of Pint Sized (by DIVE) on 33 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs.
To check out the 518 Barber Club, with locations in Ballston Spa and Saratoga, click here.
To learn more about the Franklin Community Center, including Project Lift, click here.
