Soul Story: Burleson Yard & Beer Garden- 

The Journalist of Existence

Interview by Jess Brunson

Beer.  Okay. Hammocks. Alright. Entertainment. Sounds good. What else do you have?

How many places can say they are giving you more than what you are seeing in front of your eyes and actually follow through without breaking the culture of what initially drew you to be there?  While some watering lounges can give you a typical sit and sip atmosphere, Burleson Yard is authoring a restored scene in San Antonio for those to exist in a vision.

As in Casablanca, Burleson Yard is willing to stick their neck out for the people that want to come and be a part a presence.

Anyone can visit a new place to see what it is going to be.  Possibly get on a train and see the sights along the way. But how does someone get to that point of traveling with a purpose of their vision? And now that you have reached your first stop what is happening now? A vision is just the beginning of more moments of ideas and pit stops that most are not willing to travel towards. Most are not willing to cover the sacrifice that goes into pursuing a successful journey.   As one who chooses to seek an optimum goal before it really exists, you must keep going. Especially when you come to the crossroads of being different to changing for popularity. How does a place keep its vision going after the train reached its destination?  How do you know this is the right place to be? Talking with Daniel D., he led on to cross the tracks that have led to Burleson Yard. 

What drives Burleson Yard?

Success and the ability to get there. We are more and we are doing more with what we offer and are willing to sacrifice. To please and make our people that come here happy that’s what we want to see, but…with more to give as the vision grows beyond what has already been seen.

---Interesting things happen every day. There is something to enjoy seeing when success comes through to the Yard.  Every day, every moment is an interesting thing.

What bevvie would be the signature?

Whiskey. It burns better with age. Gives the taste of dedication of success in a drink.

As time grows, so does the atmosphere with changing effects of dedication and belonging.

So what separates you from any other beer garden?

Dedication to the end goal. The clientele: we believe everyone belongs.

How does Burleson Yard rep San Antonio?

By refusing to change when people ask you to change. There is always an expectation to become something to fit in. Success is relative and we plan to be a place that lets you exist. For anything, it should not be subjective, you strive to succeed because there is a goal that you are willing to exist. We are here not just for a simple beer garden. Here in San Antonio we are becoming the place to serve what people deserve.

Are you ever looking to evolve?

We are not looking to evolve; we change only our surroundings to improve. At Burleson Yard we are actors of change, not as much currently represented, a catalyst that exist here in San Antonio for a future goal.

“The ability to suffer, be blessed, or spoiled…success is begat by sacrifice.” says Daniel D. As sounding as they are in the business of “War and Revolution” preparing to be the unexpected contenders, Burleson Yard is growing with linked associations of advantageous abilities capable of rising in a multifaceted expedition.

Burleson Yard is here because the vision is to be MORE. Welcome MORE. Become MORE. This place is writing a future for San Antonio and you should probably “be scene” there sometime soon to say you were a part of the success. The growing Texas mark is happening whether you are ready or not, and it is definitely wise to hop the tracks on over to see what it is becoming. 

Soul Story: Harol Avila: The Bold Agave Mentor- CEO & Founder of Sierra Vieja Tequila

Harol Avila: The Bold Mentor

Be Bold. Be Alive. Let the taste of happiness fill your life palettes with the craving to go farther than you have to go.

Rather than having a simple chat, Harol lent me the stories of his inspiration, love, and creation that have led to Sierra Vieja Tequila and his charitable lifestyle. Reminiscing with Harol contributed to the intensity of charging up deep seated memories that urged more than wanting to be a participant in conversation.  Our time at Co Lab was the beginning of getting to know how we want to encourage our lives. His words led to an opening of what is beyond what people know about him and into the romanticized experiences that have guided goals. Harol is a  man that is undeniably beyond the tequila that is growing among the tastes of fortunate explorers.

How do you feel living the way you do in this stage of your life?

Alive. More than I ever have than when working the typical corporate job life. The way I live now has brought me closer to real friends. Met a lot of acquaintances--- a lot.  But outside of all of the meetings, promoting, and unusual work schedule, I have been able to secure solid people in my life. I hang out with them more than my family as they have become that important to keep on this ride through business and hard work.

What or who is your inspiration?
My father. He is the reason and the purpose in which I am doing this and to give back to where I come from in Mexico. Though the tequila business can bring the wild party image and other views that it has tied to the culture of it, I have planned to do something better.  Tequila is a part of the memory of my family and cousins. It is a joke of my first taste and about where I come from. They are the reason in which I care about this and to bring whatever I do back to them.   

Define Tequila. Define Purpose.

Tequila: Hated as a kid. As in it (tequila) brought up an early memory of hitting puberty with cousins making fun, but it spoke tradition among us.

Purpose:  I have to do something bold to accomplish something farther than I have to go.

What do you believe to achieve with your Sierra Vieja Tequila business?

3 goals.

Why: To help my hometown. Send more than just money. How much does just money really lead to for the people? Money is not a mentor. So mentoring is a part of what I want to do to help my hometown.  We travel to Mexico with our donations for schools; these backpack trips to these dirt floor schools that need us. My hometown, and others like us, really can benefit from so little while they know that they can’t get but so much. They are truly grateful. They can see that there is more that they (especially children) can do.  

Children with school donations in Mexico

How can I do something great? I want to, I am, more than just promoting my tequila company. I want to cause awareness. Be greater than a product and be bold in giving more to people than just what I know I can give and explore that difference in other ways and be that new image.

All this hard work is happiness. That’s what life’s goal is and should be about when it comes to being able to live the way you want.  Achieve what you really enjoy and to do whatever it is that will give you that happiness daily.

First. Best. Last drink.

Shots of tequila. Amatitan Jalisco. Michelada.

First: Memory with family

Best:  Love of Titans. The romanticized Mexican tale of the 16^th century that traveling explorers saw the native people as such “Titans” and fell in awe of them. The people, the reason, to establish the historic town in the idea of the grand people.

Last: I like drinking what I know about and how it can relate to people no matter what you do or do not know about the name of a drink.

I definitely am going to bring back a traditional Paloma that will bring that home piece into my creation.

How deep is your love for creation?

It’s deep. Deep like creating a weird egg sandwich and putting in strange ingredients to try something new for a new day. Discovering how I can do something different and be more playful. In fact, to spur an event, let’s put weird guys and girls in funky costumes. That’s key. Creativity. Not the typical.

@Paramour

“Soul in the Kitchen. Blues in the Living Room. Rock in the Bedroom.” –Gary Clark Jr.

What’s your poem for living?

 Live life boldly <BE Bold.>

Be smooth with your love.

Why are we here, your choice, in Co Lab? Why are you in San Antonio?  

We’re getting to know one another better in a place where friends are. Less distractions and focus on hearing one another and having a fun time. We are enjoying who each other are here.

San Antonio is home. No matter what I do, my mind is where my home is, and I have found home in this city. It is great to have a place like this for what I am doing. I could be anywhere else and be great, but I am being greater here with real friends and happiness.

Taste what this man is living. From hometown memories to defining boldness that rises to the top of life. Harol has found a way to honor happiness. Like a historic unveiling, discover what a good conversation with heart can serve you.

Seek out Sierra Vieja at spots like the JW Marriott and Halcyon in Southtown and of course even more locations and fine stores around the city. Thanks to Co Lab for hosting in their open artists’ loft on Alamo and 8^th streets.

Salut & Shindig On.

JB

Tasting presentation @ Richter&Colt Wrangler Reveal

Sierra Vieja Tequila: www.sierravieja.com

Co Lab:  www.facebook.com/colab.satx