Inside a Day at Chicago’s Family-Owned Hispanic Brewery

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 14:02:16 +1300

Chicago is home to some of the country’s best craft breweries, but one family-owned Hispanic brewery is making waves by blending traditional Latin flavors with modern craft brewing. From the early morning grind to the last pint poured at closing time, here’s what a full day looks like inside this unique and fast-growing brewery.

🌅 6:00 AM – Brewing Begins
Long before customers arrive, the brew team is already at work. The day starts with:

✅ Milling the grains – Crushing malted barley to extract sugars for fermentation
✅ Heating the mash – Mixing grains with hot water to create the wort (unfermented beer)
✅ Adding Latin-inspired ingredients – Think guava, tamarind, piloncillo (Mexican brown sugar), and chili peppers for bold, unique flavors

By mid-morning, the brewery is filled with the aroma of roasted malts, citrusy hops, and sweet tropical notes.

🍺 12:00 PM – Tasting & Quality Control
Before any beer reaches customers, every batch is sampled. The brewers check for:

🔹 Flavor balance – Does the beer have the right mix of hops, malt, and specialty ingredients?
🔹 Carbonation levels – Too much or too little can ruin the drinking experience
🔹 Clarity & Color – A hazy mango IPA should look different from a crisp golden lager

One standout brew is their Horchata Stout, which fuses creamy vanilla and cinnamon with dark roasted malt.

🍽️ 3:00 PM – Kitchen Fires Up for Latin-Inspired Pairings
Unlike many breweries, this spot offers authentic Latin food to pair with its beers. The kitchen preps:

🌮 Tacos al pastor – Perfect with a hoppy IPA
🧀 Queso fundido with chorizo – Pairs well with a crisp lager
🌶️ Michelada-style beer – A spicy take on a traditional Mexican cocktail

Locals love that the brewery isn’t just about drinks—it’s a cultural experience.

🍻 6:00 PM – Taproom Fills Up
As the evening rolls in, the brewery gets packed with:

🎶 Live Latin music – From mariachi to salsa
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families & beer lovers – It’s a community hub, not just a bar
🏆 Trivia & tasting events – Highlighting mezcal-barrel-aged ales and more

The brewery’s best-sellers include a passionfruit wheat ale and a coconut porter, both influenced by classic Latin flavors.

🌙 11:30 PM – Last Call & Cleanup
As the final drinks are poured, the staff:

✅ Closes out tabs – A night of great conversations and craft beer ends
✅ Deep cleans the brewing equipment – Ready for another day
✅ Plans the next seasonal brew – Maybe a cafecito-infused stout or a spicy tamarind gose

For this family-owned brewery, craft beer isn’t just a business—it’s tradition, culture, and a celebration of Hispanic heritage.

💬 Would you try a Latin-inspired craft beer? What’s your go-to brewery order? Let’s talk! 🍺🔥