Help Send Our Hometown Champ to Nationals

If you’ve ever been to Gyppo during one of our Steinholding contests, you’ve probably seen Lonny Whitlow holding strong, smiling through the burn, and cheering others on even as his arm starts to shake. That’s who he is—steady, kind, and always lifting others up.

The Heart of Humboldt

Lonny’s a local welder with deep roots in Southern Humboldt—the kind of person who shows up whenever there’s a community need. He’s built half this town with his own two hands, and when there’s a fundraiser, you’ll usually find him there behind his giant smoker cooking for the crowd.

He’s a husband to Hannah, a hardworking truck driver and horse wrangler, and a proud dad to Shelby. Together, they’re part of what makes this place special: humble, hardworking, and rooted in community. Lonny has a heart for Humboldt and probably couldn’t leave it if he tried.

The Big Win

Earlier this month, Lonny headed to Quincy, California, to compete at the California State Steinholding Championship at Quinto Topia Brewery—and won. That victory earned him a spot at the first-ever U.S. Steinholding Association National Championship, taking place November 22, 2025, at the Moerlein Lager House in Cincinnati, Ohio.

And in true Lonny fashion, he made friends there too.

“I walked up wearing all my Gyppo swag,” he said. “A little girl got excited when she saw the logo, so I gave her my camo hat. Her whole family ended up cheering for me the rest of the day.”

That’s Lonny: connecting people, spreading Humboldt pride, one stein at a time.

How We Can Help

We’re raising $3,500 to cover travel, lodging, food, and entry costs so Lonny can represent **California—and Southern Humboldt—**on the national stage.

Whether you give five dollars or fifty, every contribution gets him one step closer to Cincinnati. Let’s lift him up the way he’s lifted those steins so many times before.

Let’s get Lonny there, together.

Send Our Hometown Champ to Nationals 🍺

By Gyppo Ale Mill

Send Our Hometown Champ to Nationals 🍺

Help Lonny Whitlow represent Southern Humboldt at the U.S. Steinholding Championship!