Stranger Things Actor Hooks Up Everybody with Free Pickle Beer

A social media stunt by 3 Sheeps Brewing to promote its pickle-flavored “Dill-ightful Derek” pilsner turned into a day of free beer after the Stranger Things actor it’s named for replied online.

Published On: January 23, 2026

What started as a social media stunt to promote a new beer ended with a day of free drinkin’ at the 3 Sheeps Brewing taproom.

The beer, called “Dill-ightful Derek Pickle Pilsner,” is inspired by the character “Delightful” Derek Turnbow on the show “Stranger Things.” The beer-makers decided that if they could get the actor who plays him to reply to their Instagram post announcing the release, they’d have a one-day beer party to celebrate.

Before continuing, it’s worth noting that this is a spoiler-free zone. Mostly because the Drink Wisconsinbly Week in Review Editorial Board has never seen Stranger Things and has no plans to start watching. It did have a pretty big crush on Winona Ryder back in the day, which is quite common with editorial boards of a certain age, but that seems irrelevant for the purposes of this newsletter.

That brings us to Derek. We don’t know if he’s a good guy on the show, but the actor who plays him, Jake Connelly, certainly seems like one in real life because he did respond to the post after the Internet did its thing and brought it to his attention, writing, “This is awesome! Free beer for a day!!!”

So, depending on when you’re reading this and your proximity to Sheboygan, this is either an interesting little bit of Wisconsin slice-of-life news or an opportunity to drop everything and have an impromptu adventure right now, because the free Delightful Derek is pouring today at the 3 Sheeps taproom from 11 a.m. until the kegs run dry.

As for the beer itself, “Dill-ightful Derek” is a pickle-flavored pilsner. So, depending on your stance on pickles, this beer could be either an intriguing flavor mashup or a crime against humanity. Something to consider before you run out the front door.

Tell your driver that the 3 Sheeps taproom is located at 1837 North Avenue in Sheboygan. And if you happen to bump into Jake Connelly somewhere, tell him thank you. And if you see Winona Ryder, tell her the Drink Wisconsinbly Week in Review Editorial Board says, “Hey, girl. How you been?”