A Helmet Full of Beer
This is a true story about what is called “The Greatest Beer Run in History,” which occurred during World War II in the Belgian town of Bastogne.
Battle of the Bulge
It happened in December of 1944 during the Battle of the Bulge—the last major German offensive on the western front. The battle was the largest and bloodiest battle fought by U.S. forces in the second World War. It was a pivotal victory that inflicted irreparable damage on the Germans late in the game. But, back to our story.
Vince Goes to Town
In the midst of heavy fighting around the town of Bastogne, a young American paratrooper with the 101st Airborne Division, PFC Vincent Speranza, was a machine gunner hunkered in a foxhole outside the town. When he was sent into Bastogne for radio batteries, Speranza took the opportunity to visit his friend, Joe Wyllis, who had been wounded a few days earlier. Joe was in a makeshift field hospital in a bombed-out church. When he found Joe among the wounded soldiers, Joe asked if Vince could find him something to drink. Vince obliged and began searching the heavily damaged town for a tavern. After several tries, Vince found a destroyed pub with a still-working beer tap. Since there was nothing he could carry the beer in, Vince took off his helmet, cleaned it out with snow, and filled it with beer. Despite much bombing and sniper fire, Vince made his way back to the church with his helmet of brew. As Joe drank the beer, a number of other wounded soldiers wanted some too and they passed the helmet around. Wanting more, the soldiers convinced Vince to go back out on another beer run. Dodging the war raging all around him, Vince made his way out and came back with another helmet full of beer. When he got to the church, though, Vince was reprimanded by the regimental surgeon for giving alcohol to injured soldiers and was sent back to his post in the foxhole.
Many Years Later
Sixty-five years after the war, Vince Speranza decided to return to Belgium and visit Bastogne to reflect on his experiences there. Unbeknownst to Vince, he was a legend in the town for his beer run, even though many weren’t sure the story was actually real. Vince found out that a local brewery had even brewed a beer in his honor. There was a caricature on the label of him carrying a helmet full of beer. Vince was totally surprised by this and by the fact that he was a part of local lore and never even knew it.
PFC Vincent Speranza
While he was a Private First Class at age 19 in Bastogne, Vince was awarded a Purple Heart, a Bronze Star, and a Presidential Unit Citation. But he is still best known for his epic beer run. Vince passed away in 2023 at the age of 98.
Airborne Beer
Airborne beer is brewed by the Bouillon brewery from a recipe from Brasserie Lamborelle. It comes in Brown and Blonde versions and is usually served in a ceramic mug in the shape of an army helmet. After returning from the Bruz beer tour that visited Bastogne, my good friends Barb and Steve brought me a bottle of Airborne beer and one of the helmet mugs. They told me the story of Vince Speranza and I thought it was too good not to share with you. Never underestimate the power of Belgian beer!
