Patrons at more than 150 county restaurants and bars who order American Pale Ale on tap are helping local firefighters. The beer is made by the Firehouse Brewing Co., founded in 2003 by a group of firefighters in San Diego City Local 145 and now owned by 30 partners. A percentage of profits and sales of American Pale Ale go into funds for families of firefighters and to purchase new equipment.

The loss of 343 firefighters in New York’s Twin Towers on 9/11 was the impetus for the brewing firm, located in an 8,500-square-foot space on Miramar Road.

“Each city has a fund for families,” says Jennifer Alexander, brewery marketing director. But after the New York tragedy, most funds were depleted.

San Diego firefighter Chris Finch, who had been a home brewer for many years, is brewmaster and president of the company.

So far, American Pale Ale, introduced in 2004, is the only beer being marketed. Plans call for additional beers and a future move into Los Angeles County. More information is at firehousebrew.com.

— Sandy Pasqua