Brewers fan scores free beer for a year after World Series TV cameo

A man wore a Vintage Brewing Company shirt to the World Series. He won free beer for a year

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - When McFarland local Steve Newcomer was packing his bags around midnight for a 6 a.m. flight to Tampa, he had only one goal in mind: find something blue.

The Brewers had just dropped Game 4 of the World Series, and Newcomer made a last-second decision to be in the stands for Game 5. Scrambling through his closet, he grabbed a blue T-shirt from Madison’s own Vintage Brewing Company.

“I go, this is great because I love their beer,” Newcomer recalled.

Just four pitches before the Brewers clinched their historic World Series championship, national television cameras panned across the crowd at Tropicana Field, zooming in on Newcomer proudly sporting the local brewery logo.

Newcomer (right) was spotted on national television sporting Vintage Brewing Company (Vintage... — Newcomer (right) was spotted on national television sporting Vintage Brewing Company (Vintage Brewing).

Back home in Wisconsin, Vintage Brewing Company partner Mike Bridges was watching the final outs when the familiar logo flashed across his screen.

“It was a Vintage shirt, and it was just insane,” Bridges said. “It just said Vintage Brewing Company, so I automatically assumed he’s got great taste in sports, he’s got great taste in beer. The guy wore a Vintage Brewing Company shirt to the World Series, and we won. . .he’s my hero.”

Determined to find his mystery brand ambassador, Bridges immediately posted a screenshot to Facebook asking the community for help.

Vintage Brewing Company Partner Mike Bridges sought help finding and identifying the fan... — Vintage Brewing Company Partner Mike Bridges sought help finding and identifying the fan wearing the special shirt by turning to Facebook.

After nearly 200 shares and three days of searching, Newcomer’s phone started lighting up. A friend sent him the viral post, prompting Newcomer to send a direct message to the brewery: “I’m your guy!”

On Monday, the two men met in person at Vintage’s Westside location on Whitney Way in Madison. Bridges made good on his promise, presenting Newcomer with a card good for one free beer every single day for the next year.

Mike Bridges (left) pictured with Steve Newcomer (right) after meeting up for the first time... — Mike Bridges (left) pictured with Steve Newcomer (right) after meeting up for the first time since the viral Game 5 moment (Vintage Brewing)

“The best thing you can give is beer in my mind,” Bridges said with a smile. “Beer buys friends and rewards friends.”

For Newcomer, a recently retired salesman, who enjoys golfing and biking when he isn’t cheering on Wisconsin sports, the lucky wardrobe decision has turned into an unexpected local celebrity status.

Steve Newcomer pictured with his friends and Vintage Brewing Company partners Mike Bridges... — Steve Newcomer pictured with his friends and Vintage Brewing Company partners Mike Bridges (second to right) and Trent Kraemer (left of Bridges) at Vintage Brewing's west side location Wednesday afternoon.

“It was great being at the national event and supporting a local brewery here in Madison,” Newcomer said. “I’m probably going to be a regular pretty soon.”