[Lake Havasu City, Arizona | June 2025] — There hasn’t been an active polio case in the United States in decades. The eradication of polio through Rotary International’s PolioPlus campaign and partnership with the Gates Foundation is a stunningly amazing feat by any standard.

 

But work remains as there are still two countries where the disease still exists. One of the biggest challenges in fighting polio, at least in this country, is how to make the mission of eradicating it relevant to an entire generation that has had absolutely no experience with the crippling disease.

 

Arizona Rotarians may have hit upon a solution. As Homer Simpson once said, “Beer: The cause and solution to all of the world’s problems.”

 

During the 2022-23 Rotary year, Rotary District 5495 hit upon the idea of brewing a beer and using it to raise funds for PolioPlus while also making the conversation about polio eradication more relevant to younger North Americans. The district formed a “beer team” spanning throughout District 5495 -- from Lake Havasu, through Phoenix, and up to Prescott and Flagstaff. 

 

Thanks to an eventual partnership with MudShark Brewery in Lake Havasu City, the district began marketing Iron Lung Lager. Proceeds from every can sold go directly to Rotary International’s End Polio Now campaign.

 

Larry Horton, Rotary District Governor in 2022-23, worked with Scott Stocking, owner of MudShark Brewery, to develop the concept – and the finished product.

 

“Scott and MudShark were extremely generous to the vision of our cause,” recalled Mr. Horton.

MudShark Brewery did more than just develop a special beer.

 

“Scott and MudShark were not only happy to brew the beer but also donated all the beer, can design, and brewing process. We cannot thank Scott and MudShark Brewery enough for their massive contribution to the success of this fundraiser.”

 

After coming up with the style of beer – a pilsner/lager for easy drinking – the team’s next priority was to create an appropriate name.

 

“The name Iron Lung Lager emerged for several reasons. Many younger people do not know the significance of iron lungs and how they helped people with polio,” said Mr. Horton.

 

“The name of the beer could start conversations and lead to education around Rotary’s significant efforts.”

 

Conscious of proper use of the Rotary brand, Iron Lung Lager doesn’t have the Rotary wheel or logo anywhere on the can, but it is obvious to people familiar with PolioPlus that the beer supports Rotary’s eradication efforts.

 

The polio virus is spread from person to person, typically through contaminated water. It can attack the nervous system, and in some instances, lead to paralysis. Although there is no cure, there is a safe and effective vaccine – one which Rotary and its partners use to immunize over 2.5 billion children worldwide.

 

Rotary became involved in eradication efforts in 1988, and it remains one of the organization’s top goals. Since 1988, the world has been able to reduce the number of polio cases by 99.9 percent. Today the disease only exists in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

 

The Rotary Foundation has set a goal of raising $2.5 million annually to support its eradication efforts. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation partners with Rotary and matches all Rotary donations 2-to-1.

 

In addition to raising money for eradication efforts, many Rotarians personally travel throughout the world each year to provide polio immunizations to children under age 5.

 

Iron Lung Lager was unveiled in May 2023 at the Rotary District 5495 Conference in downtown Phoenix. The first 50 cases of a total 160 cases ordered were unveiled at the conference. For a $20 donation to PolioPlus one could get a six pack of Iron Lung Lager.

 

The initial goal was to generate $12,800 in donations toward PolioPlus.  To everyone’s surprise, the district generated over $26,000 from those first 160 cases.

 

“People loved the beer! People loved the concept,” said Mr. Horton.

 

“Rotarians donated for the beer and then turned around and auctioned it off at meetings to raise even more money for PolioPlus. People would make donations who didn’t even want to get beer just because they enjoyed how unique the idea was.”

 

The beer was featured at the 2023 Rotary International Convention in Melbourne, Australia. Fellow Rotarians from throughout the country have reached out to the district to find out how they can not only purchase the beer, but how to imitate a similar project in their district.

 

“These cans of beer lead to a donation to Rotary PolioPlus after the Gates Foundation match of over $75,000. Not too bad for a simple, easy drinking lager from Lake Havasu City,” said Mr. Horton. 

 

Rotary District 5495 has agreed to secure another 160 cases of Iron Lung Lager to continue to raise money for PolioPlus. MudShark Brewery has agreed to share the Iron Lung Lager recipe with any Rotary District who wants to recruit their local brewery to raise money for eradicating polio.

 

For more information on Iron Lung Lager, click here.

 

 

Rotary members improve lives and bring positive, lasting change to communities around the world by promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water and sanitation, supporting education, saving mothers and children, growing local economies and protecting the environment. Rotary’s top priority is the global eradication of polio. Rotary launched its polio immunization program, PolioPlus, in 1985, and in 1988 became a leading partner in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.

 

Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.4 million members of more than 46,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping those in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. For more information, visit Rotary.org.

 

 

 

CONTACT:
Bret McKeand, District 5495 Public Image Chair, scibret@aol.com

Larry Horton, Past District 5495 Governor, rotarylarry5495@icloud.com