Northern California ‘cerveceros’ pave a path for other Latino beer enthusiasts

A group of Chicano beer brewers in Sacramento are paving the way so that more Latinos can be a part of the craft beer industry.

“These ingredients, these cans, these images that speak to us are now on beer labels,” said Daniel Savala, who opened a shop dedicated to Latino beers, Cervezalandia.

“It’s designed to help promote and highlight the work of craft cerveceros Mexican and Chicano brewers in California and Mexico,” Savala said.

Savala is part of the movement helping put Chicano brewers on the map in Sacramento and beyond.

“We’ve got to do our part to help them out and the best we can. We may not be financially, but we can help make noise about what they’re doing and shed light on it,” Savala said.

Savala says Cervezalandia, which is on Freeport Blvd., is one of the largest selections of Mexican and Chicano-brewed craft beer in the country.

On another side of Sacramento, John Anaya is the brewmaster at King Cong Brewery on Del Paso Blvd., leading the way for Latino beer makers in the area.

Savala describes him as “someone who is unapologetically brewing beer for mexicanos .”

Anaya said there is a reason he is the brewmaster.

“(It’s) the title because of education and the experience,” said Anaya, who has over 10 years of experience.

He’s made his mark with beers like “Destino,” meaning destiny or destination.

“You know, I try to incorporate in everything that I do here at King Cong to have some sort of Latin influence,” Anaya said.

But Anaya’s passion and knowledge in the industry spans far beyond just making quality beer.

“So, everybody who comes into King Cong or any place that I’ve ever been, they are family,” Anaya said.

He’s fostering mentorship, helping others grow their company and break into a competitive field.

It’s a sentiment shared by the owner of Por Vida Brewing Company, George Murray. “When you come through King Cong’s doors, you know, there’s a sense of community,” Murray said. “Here learning, being John’s apprentice, that’s been a huge part of me learning how to brew quality.”

It’s all about staying true to their roots one beer at a time and helping each other accomplish more.

“This is what the U.S. is all about, a place that has the opportunity to achieve those goals,” Anaya said, adding, “…people matter more than the beer.”

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