WDAE’s The Pat and Aaron Show call their most loyal fans “The Goon Squad.” Advertisers in the area have noticed and are taking advantage of that passion. Spectrum’s Bay News 9 in Tampa recently profiled a beer and a burger named in honor of the duo’s fans.
The Brew Hub, a brewery in Lakeland, Florida, introduced Goon Squad IPA last year. The beer has been one of the brewery’s highest rated in its five-year life.
“Realistically, it’s about 3 Bud Lights worth of a beer,” said Brew Hub head brewer Chris Schoen. “So, it’s for all those goons out there that want to drink less but get more.”
Goon Squad IPA was imperative in the next step, which is a burger named for the fans at Mermaid Street Tavern in Tampa. The burger features bacon, a house aioli, and jalapeños fried in a batter featuring Good Squad IPA.
“It’s definitely something a goon would eat,” said Mermaid Tavern chef and Pat & Aaron Show fan Shawn Castillo.
The burger is just as popular as the beer. Mermaid Street Tavern GM Juan Ruju told Bay News 9 that it is outselling anything else on the menu.
Pat Donovan and Aaron Jacobson say their show isn’t one to take much seriously. That laid back style has lead not only to fan loyalty, but to the opportunities to do cool things like get the “Goon Squad” name slapped on beers and burgers.
“We just like to have fun and I think, especially during lunchtime, it’s a perfect time to have fun and let loose and that’s what we do,” Donovan said.
