Brewing Up A Way To Help Those Impacted By COVID-19

After spending three weeks on a ventilator with COVID-19 in March 2020, Mark Hagopian knew he wanted to give back and help others.

Mark decided to partner with Elliot Hospital to establish the NH COVID-19 Family Relief Fund. Proceeds from the fund go to Granite Staters who continue to feel the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, helping them with health care co-pays, rehabilitation, groceries, and other costs.

Mark Hagopian, founder of the NH COVID-19 Family Relief Fund

But after setting up the fund, Mark still wanted to do more. So he asked his friend Jay Anderson, owner of From the Barrel Brewing Company in Derry, to team up — a partnership Jay says was a “no-brainer.”

Mark Hagopian while in the hospital with COVID-19; Mark Hagopian thanks Elliot Hospital employees after his recovery.

At the launch event for the new brew, Granite Staters mingled and heard from Mark and Jay about the NH COVID-19 Family Relief Fund. The new brew was wildly successful — Mark and Jay sold every single one of their cases that first weekend. Now, the duo plans to revive the brew and continue fundraising for the Elliot Hospital in the future.

Mark Hagopian at the launch event for his and Jay’s beer.

Mark and Jay are shining examples of what it means to be Granite Staters. After undergoing intense medical hardship, Mark turned around and started giving back to his community — and Jay was more than ready to help.

Mark and Jay understand the value of using innovation and entrepreneurship to bring people together, especially as our state and country continue to feel the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. I look forward to seeing how their future endeavors continue to make our communities stronger.

Do you know a Granite Stater who should be next month’s Granite Stater of the Month? Nominate them here.