Just about every amateur brew master who has made a tub of beer in the garage has dreamed of going pro.

But Los Angeles County firefighters Rob Nowaczyk and Ed Walker, who expanded from home brewing to founding the commercial Fireman's Brew Inc., had an edge over most would-be brewery owners.

"Everyone likes firefighters," Nowaczyk said. "People respect what we do and that we put our lives on the line every day."

That goodwill helped kick-start their brewery into profitability after only about three years. It also didn't hurt that Fireman's Brew donates 5% of its net income to the nonprofit National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. 

 "The fact that I can go into a bar or talk to a grocer and say...  Read more...