Why We Host Wrestling at Breakaway Brewing Company

A question we've been hearing a lot in the taproom lately is:

"Whoa! You guys host wrestling shows here too?!"

The answer is simple: Yes, we do.

But the story behind it runs much deeper.

Discovering Something Special

Late 2024, I attended my first local wrestling show in south San Antonio at a bar called El Luchador. The ring was set up in the parking lot, and the place was packed. The energy in the crowd was electric.

I grew up as a fan of professional wrestling and had attended countless WWE events, but this experience felt completely different. It was raw, authentic, and deeply connected to the community.

The main event featured a larger-than-life wrestler known as StudStache—a towering figure with a handlebar mustache and a tough-guy persona to match. After the show, he stuck around, shared a few beers with fans, and turned out to be one of the nicest people I'd ever met.

That moment stuck with me.

The Backyard That Built a Movement

The very next day, I found myself at another local show. Then another. I started seeking them out.

That's when I learned that StudStache—Dave Campos Jr. outside the ring—was the owner of a local wrestling company called United210. They ran shows in his father's backyard, affectionately known as "The Yard."

I was lucky enough to attend one of those backyard events. It was bring-your-own-chair, BYOB, neighbors hanging out—basically a block party, but with professional wrestling. It felt personal. It felt real. It felt like a community.

That's when the idea started forming.

From Sponsorship to Partnership

With Chris's blessing, I began sponsoring local wrestling talent on behalf of Breakaway Brewing Company. Our name started appearing in programs and on flyers, and we were getting shout-outs during shows. It was a way to support something I loved while introducing Breakaway to a whole new audience.

Then I had a bigger idea:

What if StudStache had a beer named after him?

While a few nationally known wrestlers have collaborated with breweries, no one had done it in San Antonio—at least not like this.

I reached out to him, and he was immediately on board. But he had an even better idea: a true partnership between United210 and Breakaway Brewing Company. Not just a sponsorship. Not just a one-off collaboration. Something ongoing and community-driven.

We would host press conferences. Meet-and-greets. And eventually… full wrestling shows.

Creating "Handlebar: An American Amber"

When it came time to create the beer, StudStache came to the brewery to taste through options and talk flavor. We wanted something bold yet approachable—full of flavor but easy drinking.

The inspiration?

"Something you could drink in a backyard while watching wrestling."

A tribute to The Yard.

And so Handlebar: An American Amber was born—a collaboration that perfectly blended our cycling theme with StudStache's larger-than-life character. He even joined us on brew day and helped every step of the way with the first batch.

When we hosted the release party, the turnout was incredible—and the response to the beer was even better.

Wrestling Comes to Breakaway

Fast forward several months, and this partnership has exceeded every expectation.

Handlebar quickly became one of our fastest-selling beers. We've hosted three wrestling shows in our parking lot—with more on the way. You never know when you might walk into the taproom and see wrestlers filming promos, signing autographs, or casually hanging out with championship belts draped over their shoulders.

We even have our own United210 Breakaway Brewing Co. Championship Title. It's been defended right here at the brewery and now proudly hangs above our taps.

Why It Matters

We could have partnered with anyone. But StudStache and the United210 team are about more than wrestling. They're about community. They support small businesses. They build something bigger than themselves.

That aligns perfectly with who we are at Breakaway Brewing Company.

We're incredibly grateful for this partnership—and we're excited to see where it takes us next.

So yes… we host wrestling shows here.

And we wouldn't have it any other way.

-Chef Andrew