When he’s not enjoying a Glory Haze, Founders Club member Mike Burke is out on the ice playing a game that he loves. We had the chance to make a trip up to Athens and watch him Find his Fire while competing in the 2021 Winter Classic Hockey Tournament. 

 

1. Tell us a little bit about how you Find Your Fire?

I’ve been playing hockey since I was a kid, so when we moved to Atlanta 25 years ago, I made sure to find a Coed league to play in. Hockey has always been my passion, and in my youth, I skated at least 5 times a week. In order to support that hobby, I began working in the ice rink as a rink rat. This means we’d do all the crappy jobs, like cleaning the bathroom, sweeping the locker rooms, running to get food, all in exchange for free ice time. That league eventually merged with the Atlanta Amateur Hockey League, which is the second-largest independent league in the US. I eventually got involved and served on the board of directors for the league, then joined the AAHL Foundation board. Throughout that time, I made a lot of good friends while skating and we would get together to drink beer after the game in the parking lot, (what we call the Fourth Period). Hockey and beer just naturally go together and when StillFire opened up, it provides us with another way to make new friends. The best part of both hockey and the brewery is all the new friends we’ve made in the last 2 years. As a founders club member, you never go into StillFire and drink alone.

 

2. What is your favorite StillFire beer and why? 

I like big hoppy beer, so any IPA is my fav. Glory Haze is my go-to, but the best part is trying different beers. In the summer, I’ll even drink a sour or two, just because they are refreshing.

 

3. Any fun facts people might not know about you?

I come from a big family, 4 brothers and a sister, we all played together at some point. (except my sister).

I drove the Zamboni at our local ice rink for about 10 years.

Been married for 42 years to my best friend.