E-Malt.com News article: USA, TX: El Paso Brewing Company plans to open by the end of 2015

As Carlos Guzman gives a tour of the future site of the El Paso Brewing Company in Downtown El Paso, he remarks that the 3,000-square-foot building used to be a piñata warehouse. "From piñatas (containers filled with candy) to beer, continues a happy tradition," he said as he talked about his plans for the brewery that is scheduled to open later this year, El Paso Times reported on August 29.

In anticipation of the opening, Guzman, his uncle and business partner Jorge Guzman are planning to roll out three beers that will capture the El Paso spirit and flavour.

The inaugural trio will be — The Pachuco Pale Ale, Wicked Felina IPA and the Lagartos Red.

Guzman and his uncle recently received a $240,000 Empowerment Zone Revolving Loan Fund Small Business Loan from the city. The grant is aimed at helping revitalize parts of El Paso that fall under the Empowerment Zone. According to the city's Website, the federal designation recognizes distressed areas in "need of sustainable community development."

Carlos Guzman said that city Rep. Courtney Niland was helpful in securing the grant to help revitalize Downtown El Paso.

"There's a lot of history of businesses in this area. The city decided to expand and build another city out East but they forgot about this vibrant central area that we are trying to revitalize and bring life to," Guzman said. "There's a lot of brewing history around here, too. There used to be a lot of big breweries in El Paso."

"I think the flavours and traditions of brewing of the area have been abandoned. There definitely should be some character, some local flavour and some of the area essence in the beer," Carlos Guzman said.

And while the business is in its infancy, Carlos Guzman and his uncle have room to grow their business. They can expand to the adjacent building if the beer business hops.

“For now, the nearly half-million-dollar business venture is looking to give El Pasoans something special,” Jorge Guzman said.

"The craft brewers and craft beers have been a movement that has been evolving and has the customers wanting to taste different flavoured styles of beer," Guzman said.


02 September, 2015