How one Texas couple turned college pride into a beer brand

HUNTSVILLE, Texas — In Huntsville, every pint poured at Lucky 19 Brewing tells a story — and for owners Jacoby and Lauren Reece, that story started at Sam Houston State University.

The couple, both criminal justice majors and proud SHSU alumni, turned a longtime hobby into a full-blown business.

“We joked about it, and it definitely came up, but we definitely didn't think it was going to become a reality until the cards kind of set in place,” said Lauren Reece.

The couple launched Lucky 19 Brewing in October 2022, but one beer holds a special place in their hearts: the Bearkat Blonde.

“We wanted to make something that was representative of where we came from,” said Jacoby Reece. “So, when we had the idea, we approached Sam Houston State about it, and they were all on board for it.”

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