Freistatt Distributes Beer to Prevent Grass Fires

Freistatt farmer’s daughters preparing to fight fires

FREISTATT, Mo. – The village of Freistatt is announcing a unique measure to help its own citizens prevent grass fires. The village will provide beer saved from last years’ Ernte-Fest to anyone living within a three-mile radius of Freistatt that has access to their own 3,000 to 5,000-gallon portable beer tank. Officials stress the beer is strictly for the purpose of preventing grass fires in Freistatt, not for “happy joy time” or human consumption.

Due to the extreme heat and dry hazardous conditions in the area, the local board felt providing beer for farmers to have on hand to temporarily delay any fears of grass fires would be in the best interest of the community.  The beer, if allowed to be consumed, would also help in comforting farmers who are losing thousands of dollars in crops and livestock.

Tanks will be filled on a one-time basis; refills will only be available to people who can prove they used all their beer fighting a fire. There is no charge for the one-time fill. Penny tanker nights are under consideration, if a person is experiencing multiple fires.

“I have had like 6 or 8 fires just yesterday so I filled up my tanks with enough beer to fight fires well into 2014,” said farmer Greg Juntakith, “I think this is a great program and I was very pleased with the pint glasses that were provided for pitching the beer onto the grass.”