A Toast to the Past

I hope many of you are familiar with the Lynn Tribute Series we brewed in 2021. 

The purpose of this initiative was to highlight the brewery’s hometown city of Lynn, MA. Lynn is too often associated with the catchphrase that has shadowed the city since the 70’s: “the city of sin.” Our goal is to shift the focus back to the rich history and present gems of Lynn, as well as the accomplishments that have come from an oceanside city built on industry, innovation, art, and diversity.

The final beer in the 2021 series was a tribute to Lynn native, Aristotle George ‘Harry’ Agganis, for whom the Boston University arena is named. Born in 1929 as a first generation Lynn resident, Harry was a superstar quarterback at Lynn Classical, a position he took to prominence at Boston University, where he was named the University’s first All-American. He also was a standout baseball player at Classical, and took his athletic talents all the way to the pros, eventually playing first base with the Red Sox before he died at the unfortunate young age of 26 from a pulmonary embolism. 

Harry’s legacy, character, achievements, and drive live on today. After releasing this beer, I received the most wonderful email from author and Saugus native, Tom Sheehan. Now 94 years young, Tom played against Agganis in a classic high school rivalry game, which he describes below. 

I’d like to share Tom’s story with you as it is exactly what the Lynn Tribute series is about. It’s about community, progress, celebration, memories, discovery, and more. So join me in this toast to the past…

A Beer Drinker’s Toast to the Past

A personal account by Tom Sheehan

Being a beer drinker, as my son can testify, I just had my first Agganis beer. It was tasteful, enjoyable, and reminded me of the night my team, Saugus High School, me at quarterback, beat Harry and Don Miosky and other great Lynn Classical players in the old Manning Bowl in 1945. 

During our 98-yard drive for the winning touchdown, my left end Jimmy Blundell said in

the huddle before one play, “Tom, your father is in the endzone.” My father was a guard at GE in Lynn and wore a blue police-type uniform, a stick out in the endzone. While on duty, he had been listening to Tom Lester’s radio broadcast of the game. When Lester said, ‘Saugus is going wild and Sheehan is going crazy,’ my dad had to see it for himself. He arrived at the game by emergency vehicle in time to see us score the final touchdown to win the game, 14-12.

Harry was a great guy, and his cousin, Ernie Anganis (correct spelling), was my teammate and best friend from 6th grade to high school graduation. Here’s one to Harry and Ernie!!!

Regards,

Tom Sheehan

Bio note: Sheehan is in his 94th year and has published 55 books.