One of the only things better than a good beer with good friends is a good beer whose purchase goes towards something truly meaningful.

Such a brew is now on tap at The Guild’s locations in Pawtucket and Warren, the product of a partnership between the brewery and a team of Barrington cyclists who have raised nearly $1 million for cancer research over more than 10 years of riding in the Pan Mass Challenge — a two-day charity cycling event that runs from Sturbridge, Mass. to Provincetown to benefit The Jimmy Fund.

The team, The Fraid Knots, began with six dads from Barrington in 2011, who were supporting the Ames family and their son, Charlie, who had been diagnosed with a brain tumor. His anthem during his fight was Eminem’s “Not Afraid,” which inspired the team name.

Thankfully, Charlie’s story had a happy ending.

“He’s in college now,” said Chip Wilkerson, one of the team’s founding members. “Not only is he doing better, but he was able to ride with us a couple years ago. He did both days.”

Today, the Fraid Knots has grown to 20 people from around the area, including men and women, who all share the same passion for raising money to fight cancer. The team raised over $120,000 in 2022, adding to their total of $822,000 from years’ past.

“That’s the thing about cancer. Everybody has been touched by it,” Wilkerson said. “Everybody has their own personal reason why they ride. My wife had cancer but, fortunately, is in remission now. For some it hits really close and for others it’s more distant, but it impacts all of us. I think that’s what makes people willing to contribute and step up each year.”

Tricia Kelly joined the team a couple years back, inspired by Ames’ story and inspired by her own personal connection to cancer — losing her high school best friend, Laura, to the disease.

Kelly’s husband Devin, co-owner of The Guild, began the Pints With Purpose program with the goal of supporting local nonprofits. The brewery launched the “Fraid Knots ‘On Your Left’ Lager” last week, and will sell it through the end of August. Two dollars from each pint sold will go to the Fraid Knots PMC team.

“Every year we’ve been so overwhelmed with the support of friends and family and strangers,” Kelly said of the fundraising efforts each year. “We all have our people, and we all have our own stories. It’s just amazing the people that come out to support you.

“They’ve been really, really supportive,” Wilkerson said of The Guild. “We’re glad that we could give them some visibility too. With 20 riders out in the community, a big part of what we do is talk up our sponsors. We’re all so happy to get the word about what the Guild is and what they’re doing in Warren and encourage people to visit.”

The full Fraid Knots team includes: Garrett Ames, Dan Butts, Dave Cambria, Eve Formisano, Tim Harrall, Mark Hoder, Mike Hulstyn, Ryan Hulstyn, Chris Jensen, Tricia Kelly, Kedrik Knight, Jeanne Leffers, Matt Leffers, Maura McCrann, Claire Moscrop, Tony Moscrop, Dave Monti, Mike Reuter, Sara Root, and Chip Wilkerson.

To donate directly to the team and help in the fight against cancer, go to PMC.org/TF0132