Sylvia Jeffreys: ‘An accident saw Brian’s life take a drastic turn. An act of generosity changed everything’

Plenty of schooners have been drunk at the Young Henry’s brewery in Newtown on any given Thursday night – on many occasions, probably too many to count… or remember.

But on this Thursday night, every single schooner of pale ale was something to savour; a symbol of what’s possible with a little bit of generosity.

The man of the moment was Brian, a former member of the Australian defence force whose life took a drastic turn after an accident on his way home from deployment. 

Watch the video above.

Brian, then in his 20s was living with a complex physical disability and for years after the accident lived in inappropriate accommodation; a hospital room here he had no choice in how he spent his days, weeks and months.

But everything changed for Brian when his sister Tash secured him a room in a bright, modern Youngcare sharehouse in inner-city Brisbane.

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For the past ten years, Brian has lived with the dignity and independence that every young person deserves and his life is full of friendship, family and connection. 

It’s a place where he is free and able to pursue his passions; namely home brewing.

It’s a hobby that caught the attention of the owners of Young Henry’s who know more than a thing or two about crafting beer. 

So with generous hearts, Rich, Oscar and Jesse from Young Henry’s invited Brian into their office for a day to create a pale ale in his honour.

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Last Thursday a couple of hundred people crammed into the brewery to celebrate the launch of Brian’s Brew – and Brian, at one point double parked, could not wipe the enormous smile off his face. 

As a Youngcare ambassador, it was the best beer buzz I’ve ever experienced knowing that all the proceeds of Brian’s concoction was going to Youngcare to support their mission to keep young people with disabilities out of inappropriate accommodation. 

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As a charity that receives no recurrent government funding, Youngcare relies on community support, which is why it means so much to someone like Brian and his sister Tash, who now works for the not-for-profit, to know that a much loved Aussie business like Young Henry’s is in their corner.  

So cheers to their generosity and hats off to Brian, who’s brewed a darn good ale.  

You can join the Brisbane launch of Brian’s Brew on Wednesday 25 June at 6pm @ the Osbourne Hotel where all proceeds will go to Youngcare. Buy tickets here.

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