Breweries Use CEED Building to Launch New Black IPA
MISSION – Three Rio Grande Valley breweries — two of which are about to open
their doors in McAllen and Brownsville — came together at the Mission Economic Development
Corporation’s headquarters on Feb. 4, 2023, to unveil a collaborative beer.
The three participating breweries converged at the Center for Education and Economics.
Development, better known as the CEED Building, to brew the brand new black IPA, which they dubbed.
Black Hawk.
Mission EDC Chief Executive Officer Teclo Garcia praised the collaboration between 5X5 Brewing Co.,
a brewery that operates a public taproom inside the CEED building; Howling Rabbits Brewery, which is
about to open in McAllen, and Pluton Brewing Co., Brownsville’s first commercial craft brewery.
“This is exactly what CEED was meant to do — create a space where entrepreneurs can come together
and create something special,” Garcia said. “Mission has long supported business and entrepreneurship.
We are proud to be the home of 5X5 and hope it continues to inspire others to brew and launch small
businesses.”
5X5 Brewing Co. is a veteran-owned business that began operating at the CEED building in Mission in
2016 and has since grown into a statewide brand, offering more than 4, soon to be 5 beers across Texas.
And while the company has collaborated with a number of breweries, the Black Hawk IPA collaboration
was the brainchild of another Mission native who is about to launch his own business.
Andrew Crowe, the head brewer for Howling Rabbits, left the Valley for Colorado seven years ago to
learn the art of craft beer. He worked with several companies, including Crazy Mountain Brewery, Oasis
Brewing Co. and Golden City Brewery, before returning home four months ago.
He made the Black Hawk recipe by combining some of the best notes from a stout — the big, bold
roasted coffee and chocolate notes — and added a little bit of hops for balance.
“It is a beer recipe that I made a whole bunch in Colorado and I haven’t had a black IPA in a while, so I
convinced these guys to make one with me,” Crowe said about his idea to collaborate.
5X5 owner George Rice called Crowe one of the best brewers in the country and praised his ability to
marry math, science and the arts.
“He’s really a phenomenal brewer; really math-based and a Mission boy, too,” Rice said about his
soon-to-be competitor.
