Sun Brewing Company announced the release of its latest creation, Chamoy Ale. The brewery opened in Canutillo in July 2014 and has been busy crafting borderland cuisine-inspired beers.
The brewery introduced the new chamoy ale, along with other craft beers, on Feb. 28, at Brew at the Zoo.
David Slocum, founder and CEO of Sun Brewing Company, said the beer has been doing so well that it already sold out at his main headquarters, but is still available to purchase or taste at Tosca Pizzeria, located at 4017 N. Mesa, however, it will not last long.
“Since we have only been open for eight months, we are limited on our capabilities and can have up to three beers on tap at once,” Slocum said.
As the bewery expands, there are plans to eventually carry all popular beers, such as the Chamoy Ale, Sun Mole Ale, Sun Tamale Top Ale and Meados De Alien Ale, along with other favorites year round.
“As of right now we can think of nothing better than creating original, unique and seasonal craft beers that have never been done before,” Slocum said. “We want to create something new for everyone to enjoy.”
Aged properly in a Belgian taster, Chamoy Ale carries aromas of fruit pulp, usually apricot and a mixture of lime, spices and chilis.
“The taste is sweet with a bit of tartness and slight hints of chili similar to our previously brewed Sun Tamarindo Ale,” Slocum said.
Originating from Mexico, chamoy is known as a supercharged Mexican sweet and sour condiment seasoned with hot chilis and a tart hit of lime or vinegar that is usually poured over fruit raspas, a snow cone-like ice cream, and in micheladas (a Mexican alocoholic beverage).
Enrique Avalos, junior graphic design major, said he has yet to try the new Chamoy Ale, but believes it will have a similar taste as red beer.
“Red beers are pretty trendy right now, so I think this beer will do great because many restaurants like to make red beers with chamoy inside them,” Avalos said. “I just wondering why hadn’t anybody thought of this sooner.”
Slocum became inspired to brew a Chamoy Ale along with other previously released IPAs (India Pale Ales) and ales because of his love for Mexican cuisine and its common popularity within the local community.
While living in Mexico for some time, Slocum was able to study the Mexican cuisine and utilize this knowledge into his authentic brew-crafting recipes.
According to Sun Brewing Company, they are one of the first authentic craft breweries in El Paso County that crafts original seasonal beers for people who love trying new things.
Major ingredients used in the fermenting process include seasonal organic produce and spices that come from local farmer’s markets, which gives the beers a unique regional flavor.
“All my recipes are original and authentic, crafted for a borderland flavor,” Slocum said.“No extract brewing or contract brewing is used during the brewing process and is 100 percent all-grain brewing.”
Slocum said Sun Brewing Company is a brewery with the intent to transform and revolutionize the beer-crafting platform and distribute them to local El Paso establishments where they have never been before.
Baltazar Santaella, graduate engineering major, said he has always been a fan of chamoy and hopes the Chamoy Ale will stay around longer.
“All the beers they create are out of the ordinary, which is why I think they are so popular,” Santaella said. “I would like to see their beers become available year round and be distributed in other areas of the city as well.”
Slocum said distribution agreements to other locations are in the works and hopes his ground-breaking brews will attract tourists to the region.
“Why not have something that is distinctively ours and make it freely available to anyone?” Slocum said. “It’s not about the money, but about the craft.”
Sun Brewing Company is located at 101 La Union, in Canutillo, Texas, and is open from 4 to 9 p.m. during the week.
Valerie Herrera may be reached at [email protected].
