FuzzyBrew

A.S. Barbaro is celebrating Tax Day and the Memphis Grizzlies’ playoff berth by giving away free beer next week.

The Memphis-area MillerCoors distributor is giving away 300 limited-edition Memphis Grizzlies 24-ounce cans of Coors Light at an event at FedExForum on Monday, April 15.

The giveaway is first come, first served, and is limited to can per person, 21-years and up.

Here’s more from a press release:

To take Memphians’ minds off of having to pay income taxes, and instead focus our collective consciousness on the great news of the Memphis Grizzlies securing their third consecutive appearance in the NBA playoffs, MillerCoors Beer is giving away free beer on Tax Day at the FedEx Forum, home of the Grizzlies. … To thank A.S. Barboro and MillerCoors for their deeply refreshing support of the Grizzlies, Mayor A.C. Wharton will commemorate the event by giving the key to the city to Barboro General Manager Steve Hegdale. A representative of the Grizzlies will also be on hand to express the team’s thanks for MillerCoors’ support of the Grizzlies.”

WHAT:     Distribution of free, limited-edition Memphis Grizzlies cans of Coors Light

WHEN:     Monday, April 15. ID check starts at 10 a.m. Event begins at 11.

WHERE:  FedExForum, main entrance plaza, 191 Beale Street

When the Memphis Grizzlies and Coors Light teamed up in February to release a 24-oz. special edition Memphis Grizzlies Coors Light beer can, it became an instant collectible. I got an e-mail from Stuart Gellis, of New Rochelle, New York, who has a collection of some 6,000 beer cans displayed at his house and wanted to add the Grizzlies commemorative can to his lot. I sent two cans to him in return for the guest post below. Thanks for sharing your story, Stuart! -Mike

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Thirty years ago, I discovered “Sports Beer Can” collecting as a substitute for baseball cards and memorabilia, which became too expensive for my wallet. Sports, beer and collecting were my passions, and this was an inexpensive way to satisfy my cravings.

The vibrant colors and artwork were spectacular. My travels for work allowed me to visit beer outlets throughout the U.S., and I think I have been to every bar and store in every state, or so it seems. The search was exhilarating, and the cans were plentiful.

I set up my own rules to determine what constituted a “Sports Can.” Each can must show or mention something related to a competitive sport, a specific team, an individual, an event, a schedule or a venue. Cans featuring cartoons, silhouettes, etc., of competitive sports figures in uniform may also qualify. Cans that show outdoors activities such as skiing, sailing, fishing or hunting don’t qualify unless there is reference to a competitive event. (These are my rules, but your rules might be different.)

Using these criteria, I have been able to accumulate over 6,000 cans through buying, selling, trading and attending “breweriana” shows sponsored by the Brewery Collectibles Club of America (BCCA). Trading these cans with fellow collectors in all the states has been challenging but most enjoyable. I have met some of the nicest people you can imagine. All my cans are displayed in my basement mancave on shelves that I made of 2 1/2″ aluminum “L” strips screwed into the wall. There is no criteria as to how you might display your cans, as long as you enjoy yourself and have a beer on me. Cheers.

Memphis Grizzlies fans, your team’s logo is now on a tall boy.

The Grizzlies and Coors Light have partnered up to release a 24-oz. Grizzlies beer can, which will be sold at area bars, grocery stores and convenience stores. “Coors Light Grizz Can” launch parties will be held Wednesday night at local Buffalo Wild Wings locations.

The can bears the Grizzlies’ name, logo and the words “Proud partner of the Memphis Grizzlies.”

Here’s more from a Grizzlies press release:

This commemorative can was made to celebrate the passion Memphis-area fans have for their favorite NBA team.

The cans will be available at participating retailers throughout Memphis from now until April 1.

Coors Light Grizz Can launch parties will tip-off at two Memphis-area Buffalo Wild Wings’ locations (3448 Poplar Ave. & 3770 Hacks Cross Road) on Feb. 15 at 6:30 p.m.

Silas Gaither

Memphis native Silas Gaither, who gained some national attention as a contestant on “Survivor: Africa” in 2001, is back on TV.

This time, he’s co-starring with legendary coach Mike Ditka in a Coors Light ad that’s been airing during football season.

Silas is the guy who talks at the very beginning of the 30-second spot. But Ditka, zapped by the “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” laser before filming, has the best line in the commercial: “I can’t believe you missed the extra pint!”

Gaither is a 1996 graduate of Houston High School in Germantown, a 2000 graduate of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and is “bartending in West Los Angeles while pursuing a career in acting,” according to his Survivor Wiki page.