For those who don't know the history of the GRZLY x SHRALPERS UNION Chili Cook-Off, it was a very important event and tradition that I upheld for many years before this brewery opened, in honor of my friend Noel Korman and his girlfriend Alice Park - who both passed tragically in a freak accident the night before our very first chili cook-off event.
The first event was held on December 6, 2014 at a bar where we both worked at the time. I had launched the GRZLY brand earlier that spring, years before this brewery was even a thought. Noel had started the Shralpers Union several years earlier. The chili cook-off was started by myself and Noel with one simple goal - to have a fun afternoon of chili, beer, music, and to showcase both of our clothing/lifestyle brands. We planned to have merch tables set up, sell our gear, and use this event to give some exposure to the companies we both started.
The day of the event had arrived. Contestants had arrived earlier with their crock pots to get set up. The room was packed full of people ready to eat and drink. The delicious smell of homemade chili in the air, the music was kicking, the GRZLY merch table was all set up and ready to go. But one thing was missing... Noel wasn't there. It was discovered shortly after that he and his girlfriend had been killed in their sleep by a carbon monoxide leak in their studio space. >>> READ MORE HERE.
I have lost many friends before Noel and many since. But none that I had been so close with at the time of their death. During those years, me and him were pretty tight. We talked and hung out very often. Noel was a skateboarder, snowboarder and surfer. I would have imagined him disappearing while surfing a tsunami or snowboarding off the side of a glacier WAY before I would have ever imagined he’d be gassed to death in his sleep at his own studio.
That day shook me to my absolute core. In a lot of ways, their deaths were a catalyst for me. It changed my entire view on life and it was the first step in pushing me towards a major paradigm shift. I quit my office job, started reevaluating everything, and eventually went on to open Ghost Hawk a few years later. Since then, I continued to hold this event on the same weekend every year in their memory.
Each year, the event continued to grow bigger and bigger… the last event we held in 2019 saw a couple hundred people throughout the day. Admission to each year’s event was either a cash donation or a winter coat - most people brought both. Donations were collected at door, we raffled off a lot of prizes donated by a lot of awesome people, and we had a 50/50. All cash proceeds and winter coats donated at the cook-off each year have been donated to St. Peter's Haven in their names.
What was born in tragedy has grown into something beautiful and so much bigger than myself. Noel and I put this event together literally to drink beers, eat chili, sell merch, and have a party. But life changed that day. We did it every year since without him and for the best possible cause... to give back to the community that he loved. This event was especially important for Noel's father, Ray "Razor" Korman, as a remembrance for his son - a day every year when we would all get together, tell stories, share memories, and carry on Noel's charitable spirit.
Over the years since Noel passed, Razor became more than just my buddy's dad. He became my friend. Sadly, he passed in April of 2020. But, I know his only wish was to join his only son, and I'd like to believe that he and Noel have finally reconnected in the next life. Before he passed, he told me that this event should follow me to Ghost Hawk. So it was only fitting to host it at our tap room on the 10-year anniversary of Noel and Alice's tragic passing.
Noel, Alice, and Razor might not be here anymore… but their spirits live on through this brewery - and that will continue on for as long as we do.
CHEERS AND MUCH LOVE!
Steve Bauer
Founder & Creative Director
Ghost Hawk Brewing Company
