Cenizo Journal Summer 2022 | Page 25

Guy and Tim Fielder offer samples at a business mixer hosted by Alpine Downtown Association in May .
Tim Fielder making homebrew .
desired outcomes in sweetness , alcohol content , color , and flavor . He says the process of brewing is much like the process of cooking a meal , but the taste test is delayed by several weeks with brewing , as the beer ferments . The software is one more tool to help guide the blind taste test .
Tim is very interested in community feedback , and any time he offers samples , he also requests it . He wants to make a product that people are happy to drink , and he takes all comments into consideration . But some recipes he makes just for the fun of it , like his recent batch of milk stout . He wanted to make something inspired by Mexican hot chocolate , so he added cocoa and cinnamon sticks to the post fermentation phase . The result was a unique and flavorful dessert beer .
The taproom promises to be well-designed , but above all , it ’ s a family business . Guy emphasizes that it will be a family-friendly place for the community to gather .
The Chisos Brewing Company taproom will have a variety of spaces , including a meeting room , a small event space , indoor and outdoor seating and a sunset viewing deck .
The Fielders are most inspired by the intimacy of brewpubs in London . London is a place where housing is in short supply and living
quarters are often cramped apartments . The brewpubs offer a place outside of home where people can socialize , and their intimate scale means that people are often socializing with neighbors .
To help design the project , the family has hired multiple consultants , including a brewery wastewater expert , to insure the highest standards of functionality .
Another special connection is with the taproom ’ s design firm , Branch , owned by Alpine daughter Abbey Branch . Abbey brings a raw and humble exuberance to the table . She ’ s creative , eclectic , and loves the diversity of the Big Bend , from the barrios , to the distinct architectural and artistic draw of Marfa , to the cowboy cool of Fort Davis . On a recent outing with a different set of clients , Abbey played tourist guide , taking her friends to each village in the Big Bend . She was struck by what they had to say about Alpine . They said that each town had a distinct vibe and personality and that Alpine was by far the most beautiful of them all – BUT – Alpine didn ’ t seem to know who it was and was missing out on opportunities . That broke Abbey ’ s heart – she grew up in Alpine , but like many of her generation , she was encouraged to leave the area to build her career . Now she thinks it ’ s time to come back and focus on her hometown . She ’ s a cheerleader for Alpine ’ s unique position in the Big Bend .
She came across an old magazine clipping that dubbed Alpine “ the rooftop garden of Texas .” With a little more self-awareness and confidence , Alpine could bring back the bustling businesses and active civics life of yesteryear . Abbey wants to see her beautiful hometown experience a renaissance of pride and self-realized activity — a type of success that reflects its unique place in the world , culturally , geologically , and historically . “ There are so many ways Alpine can develop our identity by just being authentic ,” she says . Thanks to the

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