KILLEEN, TX — We've seen businesses across Central Texas open their doors during the coronavirus pandemic, and one of those is Iron Gauntlet Brauhaus, a brand new brewery in Bell County owned by a veteran couple.
"The ball was already rolling at the beginning of the year, and that train was not going to stop," said owner Adam Crum.
"The home-brew community has had our back since we said we were opening a brewery here," said owner Lara Crum.
Owners Adam and Lara Crum say they wanted to bring a little taste of Germany to Central Texas.
"We came from Germany, and we love the beer there and the rich beer heritage there," said Adam, "So we wanted to bring some of that back to the states with us."
Adam is not only the co-owner, but also the brewer. His wife inspired him to turn his hobby into a business.
"She bought me my first little one-gallon kit five years ago, and it was a disaster. Nothing good came out of it except my desire to learn."
Now, the Central Texas community can enter his homemade and creative creations.
"They are all fresh and homemade. We eventually would like to get more; we have a 20-tap draft system, so eventually, I would love to fill it with 20 different beers," said Adam.
Opening their brewery in Killeen meant something even more special to them.
"My wife was also stationed here, so we have a deep heritage and sense of belonging here."
Both are veterans who were once stationed at Fort Hood.
"We wanted to make it a military theme anyway," said Lara, "So putting one outside of an army base was great because we were aiming for soldiers and their families to come."
Their goal is for families to feel welcome as they continue setting roots in Killeen.
Inside the brewery, they also have a supply store called Black Hawk Brewing Supply.
They are located at 400 Cheyenne Dr, Killeen, TX 76542.
