Hulk Hogan brings beer brand to Oxford with events at Kroger, Brick Street Bar
Hundreds of Hulk Hogan fans lined up in the Kroger parking lot for a chance to meet the celebrity wrestler Aug. 22.
"Hulkomaniacs" flocked to Oxford Aug. 22 for a chance to see WWE Hall of Fame wrestler Hulk Hogan.
Hogan traveled throughout Ohio this week to promote "Real American Beer," an alcohol brand he launched earlier this summer. Ohio is the tenth state so far to carry the product.
More than 300 fans lined up in the Oxford Kroger parking lot to meet the wrestler at 4 p.m. Thursday, some showing up as early as 8 a.m. Hogan was slated to appear at Kroger from 4-5:30 p.m., followed by Brick Street Bar at 8 p.m., though he didn't arrive at Kroger until 4:45.
Tommy Irrgang and his family were first in line at 8 a.m. this morning. Irrgang has been a fan of Hogan's for years and was decked out in merchandise down to his socks.
Judy Maxwell, one of Irrgang's family members, said they went to Hogan's Hangout in Clearwater Beach, Florida to try and meet Hogan but didn't manage to see him during that trip. They drove 45 minutes to Oxford to get the chance today.
"The time has flown," Maxwell said around 4 p.m. "We've met a lot of good people, a lot of good friends ... It's been a good, fun time."
Joey Madden, BJ Simpson and Chris Foust, a trio of brothers in law from southeast Indiana, also waited in line, wearing Hulkomania shirts, bandanas and boas. Foust's love of Hogan has been lifelong.
"I remember being like six or seven and getting the Hulk Hogan workout set when I was a kid," Foust said.
"Plus we're built the same, too," Madden added. He, too, said he's been a fan of Hogan since he was a little kid.
Oxford is the last stop on Hogan's list in Ohio, one organizer said.
