Stephen Montoya
John “Beef” Laughman
A few days ago, the news hit like a punch to the gut. John “Beef” Laughman, head brewer at Martin House Brewing Company, suffered a devastating fall. Skull fractures. Brain bleeds. The kind of injuries that leave you holding your breath, praying for the best. Beef, always wearing a smile, now finds himself in a coma, fighting for his recovery. His wife and daughter are by his side, and a GoFundMe page has been set up to help with mounting medical expenses. As of April 2, the outpouring of love has already raised over $29,000 — a testament to the impact Beef has had on everyone he’s met.
It’s hard to wrap your mind around such a sudden change, especially when you think about the guy you met just a few weeks ago. I first met Beef earlier this year when I visited Martin House Brewing for a story on their THC seltzer line. What I didn’t expect was to cross paths with someone who would leave such a lasting impression—someone so full of life, energy, and warmth. I’m not the only one who feels that way.
For over an hour, he showed me around Martin House’s sprawling campus, introducing me to everything from brewing vats to the tap room where all the magic happens. We snapped some photos for the article, and between shots, he helped me set up a connection for a future story. It all felt so natural, like we’d been friends for years — even though we’d only just met. He was the kind of guy you knew would pop up in your life again, and I was confident I’d see him soon.
“I was Johnny B growing up,” he told me back in February. “But one day, I was playing 'Super Smash Bros.,' and I just typed in 'Beef.' Then I scored big on 'Tetris,' put ‘Beef’ in big letters, and someone asked, ‘Who’s Beef?’ I said, ‘That’s me.’ And it stuck.”
It’s a simple story, but it tells you a lot about Beef — a little playful, a little unexpected. And when you met him in person, it made perfect sense.
Beef’s role at Martin House goes beyond brewing. As the head brewer since 2022, he’s the glue that holds everything together. He’s the one who writes the recipes, the one behind the beers fans can’t get enough of. But more than that, he’s the one who makes it all fun. As the team at Martin House put it on Facebook, “Beef is our best friend, the life of the party, the dude that’s always going to make you smile. He’s the reason we look forward to going to work every day.”
Martin House is more than just a brewery — it’s a close-knit team, and Beef has been at the heart of it all. From crafting experimental beers like Murph Juice (a barbecue sauce-flavored beer) to the Best Maid Sour Pickle beer, made with juice from Best Maid pickles, Beef’s creative influence can be seen throughout their entire product lineup. His impact stretches beyond Martin House as well; he was a key figure in founding Parker County Brewing Co., where he brewed professionally for the first time at just 21.
Their social media post about his accident made it clear: Beef isn’t just a colleague — he’s family. “We’re thinking of ways to rally around him, to make him proud while he’s gone,” they wrote. “He’s still sleeping, so send all the love you can. We’re going to get through this together. Pray for Beef. Cheers!”
For now, it’s all about waiting, hoping, and sending positive energy. Family, friends, and customers are all keeping him in their thoughts, and Martin House is determined to find ways to keep his spirit alive during this time of recovery.
We’re all rooting for you, Beef. Here’s to many more laughs and beers shared when you’re back on your feet.
