On April 14, 2016 at the University Club in downtown San Diego, the Veterans Beer Club (VBC) was created from the collaboration between BC Founders Kevin Cortes, Brian Grana, and Phil Kendro. The concept of keeping in contact with fellow Veterans and bringing veteran-friendly civilian workforce members together was a recurring topic of conversation between them. The first "official" BC was held at Second Chance Brewing Company in Rancho Bernardo, with six ex officio members in June 2016.

The VBC vision is a monthly rotation of gatherings with fellow Veterans and current transitioning Veterans at different brewery locations across Sacramento in a relaxed environment; we also maintain Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn pages to disseminate important information. The BC purpose is threefold: one, to assist transitioning service members through networking, discussions of important events, introductions to all industries in the region, and personally introducing them to industry leaders across the region. Two, to translate our military service to community service, ensuring that we continue our leadership into non-profit, volunteer, and civil service organizations. Three, to continue our sense of camaraderie, thus safeguarding the bonds established during our military service and ensuring there's a safety net of resources for Veterans. 

The BC also believes that supporting, vetting, and assisting noteworthy organizations that legitimately help Veterans; will also help the entire Sacramento community. We will continue to interface with senior Veterans and business leaders in the community and leverage their passion for assisting fellow Veterans.

Who We Are

1. "We are beer aficionados and servant leaders with a networking problem."

2. The culture BC seeks is a relaxed, informal veteran-networking environment.

3. Provide a venue for honest dialogue, feedback, and endorsement of those organizations who truly follow through on their promise to "help or hire" Veterans.

4. Serve transitioning Veterans by providing and endorsing quality upcoming events; and those to avoid.

5. Each member will strive to bring in additional Veterans, and BC will selectively invite influential community and corporate leaders to discuss what they need and what they know Veterans need to do for a successful transition.

6. Measure VBC success by individual transition successes (Le. interviews).

Who We Are Not

1. A bunch of foul-mouthed alcoholics who need an excuse to get "hammered."

2. A "look at me" networking organization.

3. A forum for hiring agencies to elbow in and make it uncomfortable for transitioning Veterans.