USA, TX: Mission Trail Brewery hoping to launch in Socorro by the end of February

El Pasoan Ricardo "Rick" Razo and his business partners had the name of their business venture before they found its location, the El Paso Times reported on January 12.

They knew they wanted to name it the Mission Trail Brewery when they started looking for a spot. And then they got a call about an old adobe building on Socorro Road.

"(The owner) told us about this place in Socorro. And I thought Socorro? But then we came and saw the history of the building and the aesthetic value and it's on the Mission Trail — it was perfect for our company," Razo said.

Razo and one of his partners, Travis Stoner, are hoping to have the brewery ready by the end of February. The brewery, at 10179 Socorro Road, is being promoted in a Kickstarter campaign to raise $5,000. So far, $1,135 has been raised.

"We saw the Kickstarter as a good opportunity for us to pre-promote before we open the doors and give everybody an opportunity to help back us and fund some of the projects we really want to do," Stoner said.

Stoner said they want to use the funds to renovate the back patio for entertaining, purchase a second fermenter for brewing and purchase a canning system so people can take brews home.

Stoner said the partners also have an interest in sustainability, making sure to leave the adobe building with vigas and latilla ceilings as untouched as possible, bringing in natural light where possible and plans for an aquaponics farm.

"One of our community return projects is one beer, one water. For every beer that is purchased on the tap house, we are going to donate a bottle of water to a shelter or food kitchen," Stoner said.

Razo honed his beer making skills working for and managing another brewery, Blazing Tree Brewery, for three years.

"I appreciate all they did for me and taught me," Razo said.

Stoner, who has traveled and tried many different beers, jokes that he's the taste tester.

The two are excited about the types of beer they will be making, with ingredients reflective of the desert area.

"We're going to have a Churro stout in which you're going to get the vanilla, the caramel, and the cinnamon. It's going to be nice and sweet. And we're also going to have our apple cider which is made with local honey from the Ceballos Honey Farm from Fabens, Texas, and pomegranate," Razo said.

"We're also going to have our 5 Cs IPA, and five different hops that start with C," he said "because El Paso was originally known for its 5 Cs — climate, culture, cattle, cotton, and copper."

"We're thinking about El Paso so we want to add a lot of local ingredients. Things that we are familiar with, and that we grew up with," Razo said. "It's a great way to invite people to come and enjoy a beer."

Along with the brewery, Gabriel and his wife Mel Padilla, will open a food truck, Casa del Humo, serving various kinds of smoked foods.

"I knew I wanted to barbecue but it's slowly evolving to making smoked meats and foods over an open fire," Gabriel Padilla said. Some of the dishes they are working on are a pork belly Kimchi fried rice and a smoked zucchini bisque.

The beer brewers are hoping to create a destination spot for all to enjoy. The space would be suitable for hosting periodic events such as beer festivals and farmers markets and private events.

"We want people from El Paso and Socorro and the county to come but we also want to create a tourist destination. El Paso is so rich with culture and history and people are starting to utilize that," Razo said.

"Why not experience the history of the area and enjoy a beer," he said.

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