Two Texas brands have forged ahead with a collaboration for the ages, especially if you're as familiar with both as I am.
From the "It's About Time" department comes the Academy Sports + Outdoors and Shiner beer co-branded series of gear and apparel, which will be available for a limited time at all 262 Academy retail stores, as well as online at Academy.com/Shiner.
The line of gear includes a keg-shaped charcoal grill, shade canopy, and an outdoor-ready director's chair. Not to mention the quality t-shirts, fishing shirts, boat shorts, and hats that Magellan Outdoors is known for with unique designs and eye-catching styles. The combo of Shiner's bighorn ram logo with a Texas-sized whitetail buck is an easy favorite, but I'm partial to the chocolate lab carrying a beer bottle in its mouth. Whoever came up with these designs deserves an award (or at least a few cold beers in appreciation). There are also koozies, coolers, camping gear, and a corn hole setup.
The collaboration may have taken a while, but now that it has, both companies are cashing in on the idea of turning outdoor activities into serious celebrations.
"The first-ever collaboration between Shiner and Magellan Outdoors offers unique assortments and creative designs to capture the fun of getting outdoors with friends and family," said Lawrence Lobpries, Academy Sports + Outdoors' senior vice president of marketing. "This limited-time offering is the ultimate symbol of helping our customers quench their thirst for adventure and fun."
Even Shiner, which has always been proud of its Texas roots since it started 113 years ago, indicates this was a no-brainer collaboration.
"At Shiner, we think there's no better place to enjoy a cold beer than the great outdoors," said Matt Pechman, Shiner's Head of Marketing. "That's why we're thrilled to join forces with Magellan Outdoors and Academy for a collaboration made in beer heaven. We hope our new co-branded merch and functional gear will inspire our fans to get outside and make their next outdoor adventure one to remember."
Last year, Magellan did a similar team-up with Texas fast food chain Whataburger, and I laughed at how often I'd been a customer of both throughout my years as a Lone Star Stater. Now one of my favorite beer companies, one that's made a serious push in recent years to expand and branch out in marketing efforts, has teamed up with them too. Shiner is a Texas institution, and Academy is doing a great job honoring that status with a partnership that makes perfect sense. Who doesn't love a cold beer in the great outdoors?
If any of this catches your eye, you'll need to act fast; the Whataburger collab is selling out of nearly everything well before anyone expected, and this launch may prove even more successful. Check it out at any Academy store from August 19th or visit Academy.com/Shiner.
