[VETS] Grill Your Ass Off & Sailor Jerry Join Forces

Many moons ago, Veterans Vices was a web-only series we ran every once in a while. Since then, we’ve covered dozens of different brands, each one built by a veteran and their story. A small barbecue seasoning company in Texas called Grill Your Ass Off was one of the first companies we covered back then. Since GYAO recently entered an exciting partnership, and has never actually graced the print page, we felt like this was an ideal opportunity to follow-up with them.

Following medical separation from his service as an infantryman in the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, colloquially known as The Old Guard, Jason Mruff returned home to Texas. Like many veterans, his transition back to civilian life was perilous and seemingly without purpose. Also, like many, a return-to-roots was in order. Says Mruff: “As a Texan, I don’t know that we so much get into barbecue as much as barbecue is just in our blood. Growing up in Texas, my experience was centered around family, fun, and food, and you couldn’t have one without the other.”

Not only is this company veteran-owned but, at time of writing, every single employee is either a veteran or first responder. They team up with multiple nonprofit organizations and even offer “Charity Bundles” that allow you to choose which charity to support with a specific purchase that results in a cash-back donation by GYAO to the selected organization. 

They recently partnered with Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum to create the Ironsides BBQ sauce seen here. Mruff says that 50 percent of the proceeds of Ironsides sales goes back into veteran-focused charity organizations such as the Independence Fund. So before you fire up the grill for your next summer cookout, check out Grill Your Ass Off or Sailor Jerry for a taste that warms the heart as much as the palate.