Intro by King Musa
You know what it is. You know what it is. It's your Man King Musa. Welcome to First Impression Nacogdoches, the podcast that's all about showcasing the vibrant local businesses, unique brands, and hidden gems right here in our incredible town. We're here to help students, parents, and our visitors discover what truly makes Nacogdoches special. I'm your host King Musa, and today we're digging into a local favorite that you need to know about. Today, we have a very special guest who's making a real impact in our local scene. We're excited to learn more about Miss Alex Rance from Fredonia Brewery. So stay tuned to find out more about her, but before we jump in, let's get to know a little bit about her. Introducing Miss Alex Rance!
Getting to Know Miss Alex Rance
King Musa: “Before we jump into everything about you, I want to know, icebreaker: What is either your favorite festival, the first festival you've been to, or since you're from Nacogdoches, is it called the Blueberry Festival?”
Alex Rance: “Well, definitely my first festival was the Blueberry Festival. When I moved here in 2007 to start SFA, that was the very first actual festival I went to. It's obviously my favorite because I have it tattooed on me right here! My friends and I got this tattoo a few weeks ago right before the 35th festival this year. The whole town turns into Blueberry Central, with blueberry-flavored everything!”
So Blueberry Festival is her first festival. But before we dive into everything else, can you introduce yourself and what you do at the brewery?
“Sure! I’m the Social Media and Marketing Director for Fredonia Brewery here in town; that's my part-time job that I do for fun. My full-time job is that I’m actually a chair at Angelina College down in Lufkin, where I teach public speaking and communication courses. I’m also the Chair of the Convention and Visitors Bureau Board, so I'm heavily involved with tourism in Nacogdoches.”
Personal Background and Passions
Before you came to Nacogdoches in 2007, where are you from? How many siblings do you have, and how did you get into public relations, teaching, all that?
“I’m from The Woodlands, which is North Houston. I moved there in fifth grade, but the majority of my growing up has been here. I got my first degree in Health Science and my second in Communications, which led me to teaching. I never thought I’d be a teacher, but I was a grad assistant here at SFA and really enjoyed it. I started my full-time job at Angelina College in 2017 or 2018. I have an older brother and an older sister. I’m the baby—I was not planned! My brother is 12 years older, and my sister is 20-plus years older.”
How did you get into all of this? What do you like to do for fun, your hobbies, your passions? You made it to the brewery; that's supposed to be fun!
“That rolls into how I got the job at the brewery. Fredonia Brewery opened in 2017. I wasn’t a huge craft beer person before, but when this amazing local business came to town, it was eye-opening. My friends and I were there all the time. Right after COVID, in 2021, the managers came to me and said, ‘Hey, you’re here all the time. You take really good pictures. Why don’t you just do this for us, and we’ll pay you?’ I’ve been doing it for about five years now, and I love it! Taking pictures and going out was a hobby that turned into something really cool.”
Fredonia Brewery: Background, Vision, and Community Role
Now, tell me, what is the background or vision of Fredonia Brewery? What are people expecting to see when they go?
“The plot of land used to be the Dragonfly Nursery for a long time. Our current owners bought the space and decided to turn it into a brewery, starting construction around 2015-2016 and opening in 2017. The big taproom and production facility were all newly built. The trees and plants from the nursery are why our outdoor space is so beautiful. Our head brewer, Paul Murray, started as a home brewer. He wanted to capture the vibrant, rebellious nature that is Nacogdoches, which is why we’re called Fredonia Brewery—it harks back to the Fredonian Rebellion. We’re also alumni-owned, and many of us who work here are SFA alumni, current SFA professors, or local community members. It’s all local!”
Challenges and Community Impact
What would you say is the challenge of keeping a brewery in a town like Nacogdoches, where some people might not be so excited to see a brewery?
“One of the biggest things people need to know is that we are super family-friendly. It’s a community hub regardless. We have non-alcoholic options, live music, board games, and events. It’s not necessarily a typical bar where people just get rowdy. Another challenge is that it’s a small town, and our biggest issue is distribution due to outdated Texas beer laws. However, we focus on making the taproom experience the best, with an amazing atmosphere.”
What is something that you wish the community could know about the brewery?
“I think the brewery is a staple of this community, and without us, it would be way more boring! We offer a space with indoor and outdoor seating, live music on Fridays and Saturdays, and trivia every Thursday. Our community support is bar none. During COVID, the community kept us alive through the drive-through. The brewery is a critical part of this community, and even if you don't like craft beer, there’s something for everyone.”
Fredonia Brewery & Its Audiences
For Visitors:
- A great spot for lunch (pizza kitchen or food trucks).
- Offers amazing in-house root beer and other non-alcoholic options.
- A must-visit for craft beer fans using the Texas craft brewery passport app.
- Located close to downtown and walkable from Fredonia Hotel.
For Students:
- A great place to hang out, even if under 21 or not a beer drinker.
- Offers trivia, live music, and a comfortable study environment.
- Students are increasingly realizing it's a safe and welcoming space.
- Feels like an extension of the school community with friendly faces.
For Parents:
- A very safe environment, challenging preconceived notions of a bar.
- Located conveniently downtown, near campus and the police station.
- Local law enforcement officers frequent the brewery on their days off.
- Very family-friendly (toddlers who've grown up there) and pet-friendly (they have a dog page!).
Upcoming Events & How to Stay Connected
Let everybody in the community know what y’all got going on and if we’re doing here for the rest of the summer and maybe some things to know for the end of the year as school gets started.
“For summer, we’re investing in more indoor seating due to the heat. Coming up:
- Fredonia Fest: Wrapped around the Fourth of July, a great place to watch fireworks in our beer garden.
- Indoor Concert Series: A 70s disco concert this month, 80s next month, and 90s in August, all indoors with a projector.
- Trivia: Every Thursday at 7 p.m. – get there early, it's packed!
- Root Beer Float Fest: Every August, with options for ice cream or beer floats.
- Octoberfest: Every October, a busy time for Nacogdoches with homecoming and other events.
- Doggos for December: A big outdoor dog event, especially for the English Bulldog community.
- Markets: Regularly host markets for local craft vendors (e.g., Christmas in July).
How to Find Fredonia Brewery & Stay Updated:
- Social Media: Instagram, Facebook (@fredoniabrewery). Twitter/X is updated less frequently.
- Website: fredoniabrewery.com (also accessible via Linktree on social media).
- Location: Corner of Mound and Hospital Street, easily walkable from Fredonia Hotel.
Outro by King Musa
“I just want to let y’all know, Nacogdoches, that you do have a friendly face and a place to be. Fredonia Brewery is the place to be! And I’m thankful that y’all got to meet Miss Alex Rance. A massive thank you to you for sharing your story and giving us such an insight into what makes Nacogdoches unique. Remember, our town is full of incredible local businesses, hidden gems, and First Impression Nacogdoches is here to find them all. Subscribe and connect with us on social media and join us in our community. Until next time, this is King Musa signing off, go out and explore Nacogdoches. Peace!”
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