A Natural Partnership

Katey Ulrich and Ed Gerrish, two University of South Dakota alumni, founded XIX Brewing Company with the intention of fostering connection and community in Vermillion, South Dakota. Now, with the introduction of their new beer, Coyote Legacy, the pair is raising a glass to their alma mater and supporting future generations of Coyotes.

In the fall of 2024, XIX Brewing Company introduced Coyote Legacy, a blonde ale specially brewed for the USD community. The craft beer's signature red color - coming from a vegetable-based dye - embodies the spirit of USD.

"It's a beer that celebrates the times when people are together cheering on the Coyotes," said Gerrish.

A portion of the profits from every pint sold goes toward student scholarships, providing future Coyotes with the chance to gain the kind of formative experiences that Ulrich and Gerrish cherish from their time as USD.

Coyotes for Life

The paths that led Ulrich and Gerrish to USD, and eventually to opening a brewery in Vermillion, were shaped by the university's unique ability to engage students in the community and provide life-changing opportunities.

Ulrich initially enrolled at USD as a pre-physical therapy student, but soon found a passion for psychology.

"I came to USD because I knew it had a good physical therapy program, but I stayed at USD because of the way the university engages students in the community," said Ulrich, who earned a B.S. in psychology in 2015 and an M.A. in educational administration in 2019 from USD.

One of her most memorable classes was The Psychology of Well-Being taught by Doug Peterson, Ph.D., chair and professor in the Department of Psychology. "It was all about ways you can adjust your life to be happier," said Ulrich. "It was interesting to get credit for a class that was more like personal development."

When Katey Ulrich and Ed Gerrish aren't at XIX Brewing Company, they can be found on USD's campus. Ulrich is the director of admissions and marketing at the USD Knudson School of Law. Gerrish is an associate professor of public administration and executive director of the Government Research Bureau.

"Throughout my entire time at USD, my advisors and professors were invested in my success," Ulrich continued.

For Gerrish, going to USD was ingrained in him by his parents - who each earned an undergraduate degree and M.D. from USD.

The Honors student and Truman Scholar found a home in the USD Department of Political Science and earned a bachelor's degree in political science and communication studies in 2005. "Betty Smith took me under her wing," said Gerrish.

Gerrish remembers that Smith - a former associate professor of political science and now a professor emeritus in the Department of Political Science - encouraged him to take a semester off to work with the late U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson on his 2002 campaign. That experience, Gerrish said, expanded his professional network and deepened his understanding of public service.

"The classes are important, but so are the out-of-class experiences," said Gerrish. "That's what makes USD's political science department and faculty stand out."

After graduating from USD, Gerrish spent time on Capitol Hill before going to graduate school at Indiana University. There he earned a Master of Public Affairs and a Ph.D. in public affairs. When a position in the USD Department of Political Science opened, Gerrish and his family made the decision to return to Vermillion.

"We just love Vermillion," said Gerrish. "We knew it would be a good place to start a family.

Coyotes for the Community

The idea for XIX Brewing Company came about in the summer of 2021 when Ulrich discussed the possibility of opening a brewery with Gerrish's wife, Leslie Gerrish, who made a causative connection: Ed Gerrish had been brewing his own beer at home for over 10 years.

With Gerrish's experience in craft brewing and finance and Ulrich's experience in marketing and management, the partnership quickly took shape.

"I've always wanted to own a business in Vermillion," Ulrich said. "We're a community that really supports and backs local businesses. XIX Brewing Company was a way for us to fill a gap in our local business structure. We wanted to create a place where the community can gather and really get to know one another in a more casual environment."

"Katey and I are both USD- and Vermillion-lifers who want to see both communities thrive," echoed Gerrish. "Our goal is to be centered around these communities and grow with both."

It wasn't long after opening the brewery that Ulrich and Gerrish saw an opportunity to partner with USD to create a craft beer designed for the Coyote community.

"It was a natural partnership," said Ulrich. "When you open a brewery in the town of the university you both graduated from, immediately, our minds went to partnering with USD. It was just natural. Then it was just working through the steps of the right way to do it so both parties are successful."

After meeting with university leadership, Coyote Legacy soon became a reality. Gerrish and XIX Brewing Company Head Brewer Mike Markham set about crafting a refreshing, light beer for Coyote fans everywhere. Coyote Legacy Blonde Ale launched just in time for the 2024 Dakota Days. "As alumni of USD, we couldn't be prouder to team up with USD, showcase beer made in Vermillion and support the Coyotes," Ulrich said.