A framed display combining Gov. Greg Abbott's official recognition with custom artwork is headed to the wall at VFW Post 9182 on George Bush Drive, the product of a year-long partnership between the nearly 80-year-old Katy veterans post and No Label Brewing.
The America 250 Craft Brewing Collaboration launched over the Fourth of July weekend when No Label released its America 250 American Cream Ale at its taproom at 5351 First St., near the historic Katy rice silos. The event featured live music, food trucks, VFW Post 9182 members on site and special America 250 merchandise, My Neighborhood News reported.
Weeks later, Abbott recognized the effort, giving the Katy-born idea statewide visibility.
The collaboration also includes Vallensons' Brewing Company, a veteran-owned brewery in Pearland that developed the official recipe. Artist Chris Hernandez created the campaign artwork.
Faye and the No Label team built the custom-framed display that pairs the governor's recognition with Hernandez's artwork. In an Aug. 18 Instagram post, VFW Post 9182 confirmed the piece will hang permanently at the post and said the vision behind the collaboration was bigger than Katy and bigger than any one post or brewery, with organizers aiming to bring communities together across Texas and eventually across the country as the nation marks its 250th birthday.
A post with deep Katy roots
Officially named for Floyd E. Breedlove, the post was chartered June 19, 1947. Breedlove was born in Katy in January 1917, graduated from Katy High School in 1934 and was killed in action on March 18, 1944, when his B-17 Flying Fortress was shot down over Germany. According to the Johnny Nelson Katy Heritage Museum, he was the only Katy resident killed in action in World War II.
The post is also home to the Katy Veterans Museum and runs programs including veteran assistance, youth scholarships, an Honor Guard and community service.
No Label and VFW Post 9182 had an existing relationship before the America 250 campaign, having previously partnered on veteran-focused events and fundraising supporting services in the Greater Houston area.
How to join
The campaign is open to breweries, VFW posts and other veterans organizations statewide. The model is simple: one brewery, one veterans organization, one hometown at a time.
No Label's limited-release America 250 American Cream Ale was still pouring at the taproom as of Aug. 5, with proceeds supporting veteran charities. Interested organizations can sign up at nolabelbrew.com/america-250.
VFW Post 9182 is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and on the first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 6206 George Bush Drive. The post can be reached at (281) 391-8387.
