From the Major Leagues to Building Community

The Greater Boerne Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize Jeremy Affeldt, owner of Free Roam Brewing Company, as the recipient of the 2025 Businessman of the Year Award.

While many know Jeremy as a former Major League Baseball player, his impact on the Boerne community extends far beyond the baseball field. Since opening Free Roam Brewing Company in 2022, Jeremy has helped create a destination where great beer, great food, live music, and meaningful connections come together; making Free Roam one of Boerne’s most beloved gathering places.

For Jeremy, the inspiration behind Free Roam Brewing Company was never just about brewing beer. Throughout his baseball career, he learned that some of life's most memorable moments happen when people come together around a shared experience. After retiring from professional baseball, he wanted to create a place where those moments could happen every day.

"Free Roam Brewing Company was built around a simple idea: create a place where great beer, great food, and great people come together," Jeremy shared.

Today, that vision has become a reality. Families celebrate birthdays, friends reconnect over a meal, local nonprofits host fundraisers, and visitors experience the welcoming spirit of Boerne at Free Roam. While many breweries focus solely on what's in the glass, Jeremy and his team focus on something bigger: the experience.

"We believe beer is just the beginning—the real product is connection," he said.

That commitment to connection is one of the many reasons Jeremy was selected as our Businessman of the Year. Under his leadership, Free Roam has become much more than a successful business. It has become a place where community thrives.

Receiving the award is an honor Jeremy doesn't take lightly.

"While it's an honor to be recognized, this award really belongs to our entire team, our loyal customers, and the Boerne community that has embraced us from the very beginning," he said.

He credits the recognition to the hard work and passion of his staff, whose dedication helps create the welcoming atmosphere that guests have come to know and love.

When asked what accomplishment makes him most proud, Jeremy didn't point to growth, awards, or business milestones. Instead, he reflected on the impact Free Roam has had on the community.

"Success isn't measured solely by growth or awards; it's measured by impact," he said. "Knowing we've created a place that people genuinely love and feel connected to is something I'll always be proud of."

That philosophy is evident in everything Free Roam does. Beyond serving craft beer and food, the brewery actively invests in the community through nonprofit partnerships, support for veterans and first responders, youth programs, local business collaborations, and community events.

"We see ourselves as much more than a business," Jeremy explained. "We want to be a positive force that helps make Boerne an even better place to live, work, and visit."

Looking ahead, Jeremy is focused on continuing to elevate the guest experience while staying true to the values that have guided Free Roam from the beginning. Future plans include expanding community partnerships, introducing innovative new beers, and creating even more opportunities for people to gather and connect.

"The future is incredibly exciting, and we're just getting started," he said.

At the heart of Jeremy's success is a leadership philosophy that has shaped both his baseball career and his business journey: leadership is about serving others.

"The biggest leadership lesson I've learned is that leadership is about serving others, not yourself," Jeremy shared. "When you genuinely invest in your team, build trust, and create a culture where people feel valued, amazing things happen."

It's a lesson that has clearly resonated throughout Free Roam Brewing Company and throughout the Boerne community.

The Greater Boerne Chamber of Commerce is honored to recognize Jeremy as the 2025 Businessman of the Year. Through his leadership, commitment to service, and dedication to creating a place where people feel welcome and connected, he exemplifies the very best of Boerne's business community.

Congratulations, Jeremy, on this well-deserved recognition.