Correspondent photo / Bill Koch Greg Wormley, left, owner of PumpHouse Homebrew Shop in Struthers, shares a moment with Purple Cat founder Jimmy Sutman at the National Homebrew Day at Farmer Casey’s Ranch in Coitsville. The recent event was a fundraiser for the agency, which serves adults with disabilities.

COITSVILLE — About 25 brewers came to show off their beers and cook new batches at the recent National Homebrew Day at Farmer Casey’s Ranch.

Joshua Knisley said he has attended for three or four years because of “the camaraderie and the atmosphere.” His Belgian dark strong ale fit in nicely with everything from standard lagers and IPAs to experiments such as strawberry scorpion mead, key lime pie cream ale and upside-down pineapple hefeweizen.

Eric Fulkerson of the Neshannock Creek Brewing Company said his proudest offering was the Sasquatch pumpkin brown ale, made with locally harvested butternut squash. He is planning to open his own brewery in New Castle.

Greg Wormley, owner of the PumpHouse Homebrew Shop in Struthers, heads the local chapter of the American Homebrewers Association. He said this is a nationwide event designed to encourage people to make their own beer.

There were other locations, but for the past decade it has been at the farm on U.S. Route 422, which is part of Purple Cat, an agency that serves adults with disabilities. Its motto is, “Work hard, be kind, and have fun.”

One night, Wormley and Purple Cat founder Jimmy Sutman were at the farm warming to a campfire when Wormley looked around and thought, “Wait a minute — can we do Brew Day here?” He believes this was the right move both because it helps a great cause and it’s a beautiful space.

Sutman said it is one of his favorite days of the year, not just for the money it brings to Purple Cat but more for the opportunity to see old and new friends enjoy the farm, which is a haven for chickens, goats, alpacas and peacocks.

Purple Cat is developing part of the property as a camp that will be accessible for people with any type of disability. Sutman noted that the camp experience can be beneficial for anyone and some miss out on the chance to create these memories because of their disability.

He envisions Gabba Camp as a destination that can eventually be utilized year-round for a variety of purposes.

In the meantime, he is happy to watch kids discovering the animals and dodging mud puddles under the swings, as well as enjoying the fraternity of brewers and beer drinkers who come every year to usher in the summer.

Participant Tom Booher concurred. “I love the community of the brewers. They’re great people and all goes for the benefit of the farm. Look at it. It’s paradise.”

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