06/02/2026
Aaron, the owner of Patron Saints Brewery, was a guy I really admired - and luckily, as he kept on going and brewing despite his many, many chemo treatments over the last 4 years, I had the chance to tell him I admired him many times.
Patron Saints has been a weekly host for us over the last 6 years. Aaron, thanks for letting me bend your ear over and over on small business philosophy, especially as a dad of growing kids. You probably had stuff to do and beer to brew, but you were always ready to listen! I hope you felt the same toward me.
Can't think of a better example of just a purely good guy: I'm pretty sure you showed up early a lot of days just to unlock the door for Kelsey and I so we could have a restroom to use as we prepped.
I remember the day we met, when you told me you were opening a brewery. I said that we didn't really do breweries! Well, the pandemic came and you welcomed us with open arms. I appreciate you and will miss you.
As for our fans and regulars at Patron Saints - check back for updates! It's unclear whether we will need to find a new spot, but if we do, we hope to make sure it's on that side of town. As a reminder, we're in Rossford this Wednesday anyhow. I'll report back about next week.
After a 4 year battle with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer, Patron Saints Brewery founder and owner Aaron "Griz" Grizaniuk, passed away this past weekend.
Please pray for and mourn with his wife, kids, family and his extended family in the Toledo brewing community who miss him dearly already.
When Aaron was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer in the spring of 2022, the response from breweries across Northwest Ohio was immediate and overwhelming. Breweries, beer lovers, and friends rallied around him because he had spent years doing the same for others.
Aaron fought with remarkable courage, but he never let that battle define him. Instead, he will be remembered for the life he lived and for the family he loved, along with friendships cultivated, and the countless people whose lives are better because they knew him.
Let's raise our glasses and have today be more than a toast. Instead, make it a thank you.
Thank you, Aaron, for your passion for life, your enormous generosity, and your unwavering commitment to the NW Ohio beer community... and your friends and family.
🥲
Cheers, Griz. You will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.