used to work at the same company with Dan in Des Moines many years ago. He left a very lucrative position to chase his passion - which became Firetrucker. Haven't talked to him for several years but he was a great guy. Such crappy news.
This is actually the point where I met Dan. I was working behind the bar at el Bait Shop at the time and he came in with a group of people celebrating his "retirement". I got off my shift, sat down with him and talked about his passion about starting a brewery and what he wanted to do with it.
If I'm being completely honest, I thought he was in over his head. It seems like every homebrewer who makes a nice brown ale thinks it's their time to open up a brewery. Dan, however, had a vision and he had the drive and passion to make it work. I'm not a huge fan of their beers, but I respect the hell out of him for turning his passion into a career.
He was certainly beloved in the cycling community and I know Firetrucker has a very dedicated following around Ankeny. Definitely a huge loss for the company, but a loss for the Iowa beer scene. Hopefully measures were put in place in his final days to keep the brewery going.