Beer of the Week: Barrio Beach

Names don’t get much more outwardly Mexican-American than Brandon Hernández. Born to a Hispanic father and a mother of mostly German descent, I spent my childhood in the city where my parents met as students at Castle Park High School: Chula Vista. Even in that South Bay municipality, I was a minority; typically the only student of mixed heritage in my class. Come to think of it, strike that. I was always the only Mexican-American kid in class. I literally just realized that because, honestly, while I am proud of where I come from and who I am, it just wasn’t that important to me. People are people regardless of ethnicity. The only time I ever thought about race – mine, in particular – was when my caucasian classmates would hurl racist insults at me for being Mexican and my Mexican classmates would tell me I “wasn’t Mexican enough” (something I still get a lot of 40 years later) and pelt me with lame jokes about white people. A little empathy would have been nice back then, but it’s hard to relate to that which one does not understand, so I would like to offer a tip of the hat to the makers of this week’s featured beer, Barrio Beach Double IPA. Based in Los Angeles, that Latino-owned operation, Brewjería Company, utilizes prime real estate – the label adorning this beer’s can – to educate consumers about a little-known refuge to people of color, primarily Mexicans; a real, all-too-rare place where minorities could congregate, relax and enjoy themselves without fear of discrimination back in the day. The historical significance of this locale extends far beyond L.A. and, now that Brewjería operates a kitchen and taproom on downtown Chula Vista’s main drag, San Diegans can enjoy a classic, piney and pithy West Coast double IPA while gaining knowledge and appreciation for this bygone Southern California sanctuary as well as the importance of seeing beyond race and treating one another with dignity, respect and understanding.

Our Barrio Beach double IPA was brewed as an homage to the swath of marshland located along the Rio Hondo River once known as Marrano Beach. Although miles from the sea, this area was endowed with a tenacious cultural heritage unlike any other beach in Los Angeles and was also one of the few public spaces Mexican-Americans and people of color had access to for recreational purposes due to racial segregation in the first half of the 20th century. Brewed with a strong malt backbone to hold the massive weight of 100 IBUs (international bittering units), this step away from the haze is a throw-back to the classic West Coast style. Copious amounts of kettle hops bring balance to the force of its 8.7% ABV (alcohol-by-volume). Aggressively dry-hopped with Amarillo, Centennial and Simcoe for waves of fresh pine and citrus fruit, it will remind you why you fell in love with this style in the first place.”

Agustin Ruelas, Co-founder & President, Brewjería Company

Brewjería Company is located at 241 Third Avenue in Chula Vista