Kevynne Aleman
04/19/2023
On Wednesday April 12, UTRGV athletics announced their very own Los Vaqueros beer in partnership with a local RGV brewing company called 5X5 Brewing Co., creating a blood orange kölsch style ale.
The beverage will be available at the UTRGV baseball’s final home series May 12 -14 against Grand Canyon at the UTRGV Baseball Stadium.
Associate Athletic Director for Revenue Generation Seth Jones, and Senior Associate Athletic Director for Communications & Championships Jonah Goldberg played pivotal roles in its creation, however Jones gives credit to the 5X5 Brewing Co. for bringing the motivation to UTRGV.
“So 5X5 really came in with that, ‘Hey we can do this’, and so working with them they were just as motivated, if not more than we were, and so I think they saw the opportunity with a growing university,” said Jones.
As UTRGV is a growing University, the Vaquero brand is also growing. According to Goldberg, UTRGV is the first school in the UT System to have their own beer.
The Los Vaqueros beer will be available at local H-E-Bs, restaurants and UTRGV athletic events that serve alcohol. Goldberg expressed how he is looking forward to seeing the brand in local places.
“I’m really excited to see our brand in so many new places. In H-E-Bs, and other stores and restaurants. I just think that whether you drink or not just walking by Los Vaqueros in the aisles, I think seeing the tap handle at the restaurants, that has an impact,” said Goldberg.
Now that the university has its own beer, students are looking forward to what else UTRGV can bring to the table in the future.Public Relations junior Michael Sanchez discussed the opportunities this has opened for the university and the Rio Grande Valley.
“If they’re willing to do something like this, like collaborate with a local brewery to make a Vaquero beer, then I think that they can do a lot of different things, especially around the valley,” said Sanchez.
5X5 Brewing Co. will be hosting a tailgate party launching the new beer to fans and more at 4 p.m. Friday May 12 at the UTRGV Baseball stadium before the game.
For more information please visit goutrgv.com
This is Kevynne Aleman for Vaquero Radio.
