Bearkat Blonde Beer: SHSU Alumni Launch University's First Branded Beer

From Hobby to Brewery

• 💡 Jacobe and Lauren Reese, Sam Houston State University alumni, turned their home brewing hobby into a reality with Lucky 19 Brewery in Huntsville.
• 🧠 Jacobe honed his brewing skills for about 13 years, while the idea for a brewery was sparked during the COVID-19 shutdowns.
• 🚀 Lucky 19 Brewery opened in October 2022, featuring a taproom with a rotating selection of 19 beers on draft and non-alcoholic root beer.

The Birth of Bearkat Blonde

• 🎯 The brewery partnered with Sam Houston State University to create Bearkat Blonde, the university's first branded consumable product.
• 🎨 The creation involved close collaboration with the university, including compiling designs, colorations, and logos, adhering to NCAA licensing.
• 📅 Brewing of the Bearkat Blonde began in November 2022, with the beer becoming available on shelves outside the brewery by December of the same year.

Symbol of Opportunity and Legacy

• 📈 The university views this partnership as a reflection of Sam Houston State's values of opportunity for its students and alumni.
• 🤝 Bearkat Blonde is more than just a beer; it's a way for the founders to give back to their university and bring people together.
• 🎓 The university also supports entrepreneurs through its Small Business Development Center, assisting students, alumni, and community members.