03/08/2026
Many of you have likely seen Vic’s message from Calusa Brewing sharing the heartbreaking news that Geordie Rauch passed away.
Geordie was one of the good ones. A Navy SEAL, a leader, a builder of community, and someone who brought energy, humor, and heart everywhere he went. He helped build Calusa into what it is today and was a big part of the spirit that makes Sarasota’s craft beer community so special.
At PigFish, we also knew him as our unofficial sauce aficionado. If there was a new hot sauce, sandwich sauce, or something spicy worth trying, Geordie somehow already knew about it. Conversations with him could go from brewery operations to distribution strategy to debating the merits of different sauces in about thirty seconds.
That was Geordie. Curious, generous with his time, and always ready with a story, a laugh, or a recommendation.
Our hearts are with Vic, Katie and the Rauch family, and the entire Calusa Brewing team. The Sarasota beer community lost a truly special person. ❤️
To our Calusa Brewing friends and family,
With deep sorrow and a heavy heart, I regret to share the passing of our brother and friend Geordie Rauch. Geordie lived his life at full speed, and he filled Calusa with that energy in every conversation, joke and pint that he shared with us. His presence will be impossible to replace, but we will continue forward with the strength that he inspired in us. He would not want us to mourn, but rather to laugh, love, live our lives and cherish our time together. We will do that in his honor every day. On behalf of Katie and our entire family I would like to thank each of you for the kind words, support and most of all the amazing memories that we get to lean on during this difficult time.
Warmest Regards,
Vic and the entire Calusa Brewing family