Birmingham’s “Thirst Responder”

Until recently, Eric Meyer had no idea he would ever compete in a formal sporting event. The 22-year veteran lieutenant with the Mountain Brook Fire Department is also co-founder and brewmaster of the popular Cahaba Brewing Company, and he was dabbling with jiu-jitsu at a local gym for recreation as time allows.

Then came the announcement that the 2025 World Police & Fire Games were coming to Birmingham, bringing more than 8,500 first responders from dozens of countries to compete in a wide variety of sports.

Eric knew he wanted to represent Birmingham and registered to compete in the Japanese martial art. In his first ever event. On a world stage. In front of his community and peers. No pressure!

The 46-year-old married father of three shrugs and accepts the challenge. “I'm going to go against other men in my age and weight, and everyone I practice with here is bigger or younger than I am,” he muses. “My chances aren't bad because there's not a lot of contenders at my age level in the Games. At the same time, there’s a couple of Brazilians and some guys from FDNY coming in. We'll see how a brewer from Birmingham, Alabama can do!”

Why Jiu Jitsu? “For me, it's about the sport and the mental and physical workout that I'm getting,” he explains. “I started in 2020 in my early 40s when I was trying to find something challenging, different, and to really get me out of my comfort zone. I watched some friends doing it and it always seemed interesting. As I was leaving the brewery one day, a gym opened up right down the road. I walked in and signed up right then.”

Eric is excited for the biennial event to be hosted in Birmingham, both as a firefighter and as co-owner of a brewery near downtown that will see a lot of visitors. He knows how first responders enjoy socializing in their down time and expects most will be gathering to enjoy Birmingham’s scene when not competing.

“The World Police & Fire Games is about competition, but at the same time, it's about community and the ability for men and women in public service from all across the world to come together and to be a community,” he says. “We might have a different accent. We might play different sports, but it's all about getting together, the brotherhood, the sisterhood, and again, just being together. I'm really looking forward to that.”

While service work is demanding, Eric has always found time for other passions, and Cahaba Brewing Company began as a hobby brewing beer in his garage with a friend. The chemistry of crafting beer fascinated him. “My college background got me into the science side of brewing. I originally pursued a pre-med degree at UAB, and then I wanted to do Geographic Information Systems (GIS), so I created my own ‘individually designed major’ with a minor in Biology,” he explains. “When all your firemen buddies want to drink it, that really helps hone your craft. It wasn’t long before we got the idea to open up a small place here. We now have a bigger location with five owners, and we're rolling along having a good old time.”

Eric is grateful and proud that he became a firefighter. “I was still a young man and trying to find a way to serve the community after college, and the volunteer side of the fire department just seemed like an easy route to go,” he says. “Once I was exposed to it, I enjoyed what first responders do and the brotherhood that goes along with it. I've been hooked ever since.

“I get goosebumps saying I have two careers that I love and I'm passionate about,” he concludes. “Most people out there can't even say they have one, and I have two. I also have a wife that is patient and loves me, and three healthy children. if you want to say somebody's blessed, that's the way that I feel.”

By Del Moon