Beer lovers are encouraged to visit the Nickerson Street Saloon and other select bars and taverns on May 15 to enjoy a glass of Bob's Brown Ale with proceeds benefiting the Ronald McDonald House.

The beer is a product of the Georgetown Brewing Company founded by Manny Chao. He was friends with a young man named Bob Hirsch who lost a battle with cancer.

He named Bob's Brown Ale after Hirsch as a tribute to Hirsch's strength as he struggled with his illness.

The friendship between Chao and Hirsch began when Chao was a counselor in the Leadership Training program at Camp Goodtimes on Vashon Island where 130 kids ages 7 to 17 spent their summers. All of them had cancer.

Hirsch was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 14 and then recovered. He attended Camp Goodtimes and was in training to be junior counselor.

He suffered a relapse when he turned 18 years old and died when he was only 21.

With the story of Lance Armstrong's overcome cancer and becoming the best long distance bicyclist in the world providing inspiration, Hirsch fought the disease. His family was living in Alaska at the time and Hirsch came to Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center for treatment. The family stayed at the Ronald McDonald House during that period.

"He was a great kid, quite smart, sarcastic, quick and was into sports. He was just a normal kid. He loved (running) track and the movies. He really got into the outdoors. He won a cancer youth award for helping kids with cancer," said Chao.

Last year was the first Bob's Brown Ale fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House in honor of Hirsch. It brought in $3,800.

Chao hopes to reach a goal of $10,000 this year. He has more than doubled the number of barrels from 30 to 64 to raise more money.

As a college student, Chao said he fell in love with microbrews. With his partners Roger Bialous and Bret Chopp, they began experimenting with different recipes in 2001. From a list of nine beers, they settled on a pale ale and the Georgetown Brewing Company was born. The first batch was brewed in 2005 and they ended up with 30 kegs produced that year.

The Georgetown Brewing Company comes out with a new beer each year. "We're always experimenting with new things. It keeps it fun for us," said Chao.

Bob's Brown Ale is only produced once a year. "Very malty and well balanced," is how Chao describes his special brew named after his friend.

According to the company's website, Bob's Brown Ale is "big and brown with lots of hops. We use a blend of 2-row Pale, caramel, chocolate, Munich and Roasted Barley Malts, then add loads of Centennial and Crystal Hops to make this a meaty brown brew."

Chao says he would like to see the Georgetown Brewing Company grow into a regional brewery someday.

"In knowing Bob, I gained perspective. Bob inspired me about what was really important. People get caught up in what they do everyday, in work and you forget how lucky you are," said Chao.

"He was very inspiring. He never complained about it. He was in inspiration to a lot of us," Chao said of his friend.

Although 55 bars and pubs will receive kegs of Bob's Brown Ale, the Nickerson Street Saloon, 318 Nickerson St. in Fremont will host the benefit release party from 6-8 p.m. on May 15.

Chao suggests that people wanting to take part in the fundraiser come early. The two kegs allocated to the saloon are expected to be consumed in less than one hour. At other participating bars, the kegs are expected to last a week.

The Nickerson St. Saloon, Columbia Distributors, Beveridge Place Pub and the Deluxe Bar and Grill are donating all their proceeds from sales of Bob's Brown Ale to the Ronald McDonald House. Other bars are buying the kegs at a more expensive price, knowing the proceeds to go to charity.

Other locations selling Bob's Brown Ale in or near Ballard include: 74th St. Ale House; Old Town; Balmar; Ray's Boathouse; and Tin Hat Bar and Grill.

For a complete list visit www.georgetownbrewing.com.