Sometimes it’s the moments of turmoil and destruction, such as standing in a rainstorm preceding the touchdown of a Category 4 hurricane, when you need to crack open a cold one with the boys—or a random Texas woman—the most.
While shooting Friday news coverage of Hurricane Harvey, Dallas-based Fox News Channel reporter Casey Stegall found himself on the receiving end of such good graces when a literal beer goddess, drenched in the storm, appeared out of nowhere to interrupt his live national broadcast and hand him a six-pack of local beer.
“Got you guys some Galveston beer,” the woman cheered as she gave Stegall a hug and then laughed as she ran away.
That time a woman in Galveston gave a FOX News reporter beer while covering a hurricane. #TexasHospitality #Harvey pic.twitter.com/2WOluNXy3p
— FOX 4 NEWS (@FOX4) August 25, 2017
Upon closer inspection of the video, it appears that the woman handed Stegall a pack of Galveston Island Brewing’s TIKI Wheat. The brewery’s website says TIKI White is its flagship brew, made of half wheat and half barley.
https://www.facebook.com/GalvestonIslandBrewing/photos/a.1447815338573306.1073741830.219289841425868/1520351347986371/?type=3&theater
Stegall, who said he’d save the beers for “after” covering the hurricane, later tweeted about the encounter and thanked the kind Galvestonian for her gift, even calling the moment a “good photobomb” that brought levity to a dire situation.
You never know who you'll meet or what will happen, when reporting the news. Thanks for the gift (what she gave me, not the tornado alert.) https://t.co/MBabaMADTc
— Casey Stegall (@caseystegall) August 25, 2017
We all need a little laugh, in the middle of a moment like this! Took me by surprise, in a good way! Thanks for your message. https://t.co/3iD7jf5yqJ
— Casey Stegall (@caseystegall) August 25, 2017
Now that's what I call a GOOD photo bomb! She was very sweet and even gave me a hug… moment of levity, reporting on serious matters. https://t.co/KlBM02jb7C
— Casey Stegall (@caseystegall) August 25, 2017
As for the woman, she doesn’t work for the brewery. Galveston Island Brewing marketing director Charday Van Orstrand told the Wrap that she was just showcasing “southern hospitality at its finest.”
Or, to put it another way, it was her southern hops-pitality shining through.
Update 5:48pm CT: In a tweet sent to the Daily Dot, Stegall said he’s hoping to link up with the kind woman who brought him the beer on Sunday. Being that he’s barely had a chance to sleep while covering the storm, he hasn’t had a chance to take a sip. But he’s still planning on drinking when the work is done.
Hey there, it was Galveston Island Brewing’s Tiki Wheat. We've made contact with the woman who brought it and hope to link up tomorrow. https://t.co/CXtBToVS3h
— Casey Stegall (@caseystegall) August 26, 2017
Unfortunately, have not tried it yet — been working the storm non-stop and trying to squeeze in some sleep when we can. #drinkwhenitsover
— Casey Stegall (@caseystegall) August 26, 2017