By: Laura Mae Bagwell
History Hive of the 915
Beer. A bitter blessing and a sweet curse (depending on who you ask, of course). Ranging in ingredients to intensity, beer spans over 100 different styles in a spectrum of satisfaction. It should come as no surprise that beers are carefully ‘craft’ed and create some of the most memorable moments, be it for better or for worse. Suds in a cup have been pleasing our palates for thousands of years; its origins date as far back as Ancient Egypt! Fermentation processes have changed, but from grain to guzzle, beer has transformed celebrations and cultures across the globe.
So, what’s the buzz with beer in the borderland? Like many places in the United States, the El Paso del Norte region faced a prohibition period in the 20th century where the production, importation, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages was illegal. Breweries existed in El Paso prior to the prohibition period but only grew in popularity thereafter. Now home to some of the best breweries on the border, El Paso serves residents and tourists alike. One local brewery provides much more than just refreshing beverages to visitors; it offers rejuvenating opportunities to visionaries.
The Story of Old Sheepdog
Old Sheepdog Brewery, established by co-owners Gus Delgado and Brisa Regalado-Delgado, began with a gift. Gus’s father had dreamt of brewing his own beer, so his son gave him a kit one year for Christmas. That dream collected dust for a few years until it was rediscovered. Gus and his wife decided to give the art of brewing a shot. With his old sheepdogs by his side (sound familiar?), Gus crafted some homemade beers as a pastime. A short time later, another person unintentionally inspired Gus to pursue his newfound artistry as a specialty rather than a sport.
Gus’s sister, Joselyn Delgado, was attending New Mexico State University and needed to fill a slot in her schedule with an elective. She chose a brewing course and asked her brother to help her since he had some previous practice with the process. After his sister completed her course, Gus continued crafting on a weekly basis with a $60 budget. Some weeks he saved and others he spent, but he always shared his products with friends and family, who encouraged him to not only think outside the box but beyond it.
“We started believing,” said Gus. He and his wife began to search for the perfect place to build their business. It didn’t take long to discover a location that houses and honors their heritage as well as their history. “I fell in love with it immediately,” remarked Gus, “so we acquired the place in October of 2018 [and] eventually in December, December 27th of 2019, [the] same day that they approved me, I was like ‘Let’s open!’”
Less than three months into its startup, Old Sheepdog was forced to close its doors as Covid-19 cases spread rapidly across the city. Community wellness and wholeness is of utmost importance to Gus and his wife so halting their operation was hardly an issue. The unforeseen and unexpected did not deter the Delgado family. They stayed strong and continued crafting what they call “La Cerveza Del Pueblo. The people’s beer.”
As restrictions were removed, Old Sheepdog reopened its doors to all. “Here, everybody’s welcome,” voiced Gus, “Me being from Juarez and Brisa, my wife, being from El Paso, we’ve always seen this place as one. That’s what we’re trying to do here. Be one, be everything. Unity, community, and family. That’s what we want to do.”
Art Allies
Old Sheepdog Brewery partners with people and organizations to support their ambitions and missions. Artwork and photos are featured on limited edition glasses and growlers with a portion of the proceeds going directly to the cause. However, Old Sheepdog’s advocacy extends past economic profits and prospects.
Gus and Brisa wanted to recognize the hard work of their employees in an individualized and imaginative way. They came up with a creative concept, which granted their employees an opportunity to craft their own exclusive beers while guiding them in the process. Gus wanted to ensure his employees’ contributions to his company were reflected in this tribute but that their signature styles are remembered. When asked why, Gus gave a simple and straightforward answer: support is vital to success. “They make us. Without them, I won’t be anything.”
This optimistic outlook was embedded into the establishment and embraced. The establishment became a site for artists of all skills, talents, and trades to showcase their passions. Visionaries, as diverse as the beer itself, began pouring in- comedians, musicians, painters, photographers, poets, sculptors, you name it. Their vibrancy is reflected in the colors that wrap the walls and the harmonies that are heard.
“A Life Worth Living”
Right across the street stands Galería Lincoln- a gallery ran by artists for artists. “Every two months there’s a new artist putting their show,” explained Gus. September 3, 2021 was the grand opening of “A Life Worth Living”- an exhibit put on by Old Sheepdog Brewery in conjunction with EsTYLOW JUNKTiON, a local brand run by co-owners Alex Arriaga and Silvestre “Silver” Rodriguez.
Silver founded EsTYLOW JUNKTiON in 2006, but he wanted to evolve and enhance the brand and business with a creative colleague. “I had worked with different people over time, but I wanted to find the proper person [who] was going to be the next big stepping stone. When [Alex] came into the picture, it just went to another level. EsTYLOW JUNKTiON, what it is now, is nothing compared to what it was before [2018],” explained Silver.
Diverse is only one word that describes this duo. Although both men had comparable childhoods, Silver and Alex have harnessed their differences and harmonized their disciplines and designs; Alex described their approach as “grungy bougie.” “Even though our styles are different, we needed them to expand the brand without going outside of our comfort zones. It defines who we are a lot better because we’re not trying to be something we’re not,” said Silver.
Silver portrays their process and progress as “organic growth”: “We don’t plan things in the long term because everything is just so [fluid]. The vulnerability that exists in today’s environment is out of this world so we’re just kind of going with it.” Although planning is not really their style, they stick with projects to produce phenomenal products: “We like to keep [things] simple but nice at the same time,” said Alex.
By going with the flow, more opportunities opened up for Alex and Silver. “The opportunity presented itself to us to take over the gallery,” shared Silver, “We started talking to Gus [and then] boom, boom, boom.” Like a domino effect, one thing led to another, and EsTYLOW JUNKTiON found themselves partnering with Old Sheepdog Brewery to craft a limited edition “lager”.
Old Sheepdog Brewery released a malt liquor, which was promoted as a “strong lager” on Friday, September 3, 2021. Silver described the beer as “a thicker, hoppier version of a Budweiser.” Silver and Alex helped produce and promote the beer, but their greatest contribution came in the form of labels that they fashioned for cans and glassware.
The artwork features the slogan “A Life Worth Living,” their “Maripaza” trademark, and 23 stars. The “MariPAZa” mashup appears on most, if not all, of EsTYLOW JUNKTiON’s artistic creations. “The mariPAZa is a brand that came from the peace sign and the butterfly, mariposa and paz. They were merged together in honor of people who have passed away in our lives,” revealed Silver. Alex uncovered an uncanny and accidental coincidence: the artwork contains 23 stars, which can be connected to and commemorate the loss of the lives lost on August 3, 2019.
A quote by EsTYLOW JUNKTiON encompasses the entire experience: “Your desire to leave will one day be replaced by an unimaginable amount of nostalgia. And you will grieve.” Their exhibit is about mourning the past, living in the present, and hoping for the future.
Fun for Everyone
Anyone and everyone is encouraged to attend the presentations and performances at Galería Lincoln and Old Sheepdog Brewery, free of charge. The family-friendly atmospheres offer non-alcoholic food and drink alternatives, exceptional entertainment, and extraordinary experiences.
Old Sheepdog, among other local and regional breweries, had planned on participating in the 2021 Sun City Craft Beer Festival from September 18-19, 2021. However, the festival has been postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It is scheduled to return to El Paso’s Civic Center Plaza on Saturday, May 21, 2022 from 1:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. and Sunday, May 22, 2022 from 1:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.; it is expected to feature more than 170 craft beers among other alcoholic and non-alcoholic food and beverages. Attendees must be 21 or over at the time of the festival to enter. Single day general admission tickets are $30 and single day V.I.P. tickets are $80.
From the first swig to the last sip, alcohol, when enjoyed in moderation, leaves everyone in high spirits. Art and beer, at least in this story, truly are the gifts that keep on giving. Drink responsibly and see you lager!
Extra, extra!
For upcoming events at the brewery, follow them on Facebook and Instagram at Old Sheepdog Brewery.
For forthcoming shows at the gallery, check out their Facebook and Instagram pages at Galería Lincoln.
For more information about EsTYLOW JUNKTiON, follow them on Facebook and like them on Instagram at EsTYLOW JUNKTiON.
For more information about the festival, please visit suncitycraftbeerfest.com or their Facebook and Instagram pages at Sun City Craft Beer Fest.