Asian American Breweries

This month we’ll be featuring a trio of Asian American owned breweries from across the Americas. There is a long history of brewing in Asia, with evidence of brewing in China going as far back as 7000 BCE, and as far back as 8500 BCE near the Euphrates in modern day Turkey. Beer’s current popularity on the continent is a relatively recent development though, with larger industrial breweries becoming  the norm following colonialism in the early 20th century. Craft brewing is also fairly young, having started in the late 20th century, before exploding in the mid 2010’s

Returning to the Americas, while 19% of restaurants in the United States are owned by Asian Americans, only 2% of breweries are Asian owned. We have selected 3 standouts to spotlight for May: 

Dokkaebier was founded in February 2020 by Youngwon Lee. Born in Korea but raised in America, Youngwon returned to Korea as a young adult to sell Californian wine and high end spirits. When he returned to California he pivoted to craft beer, eventually working at the Eureka offshoot of Korean Microbrewery The Booth. After the Eureka location closed, Lee began planning out opening his own brewery, recruiting Aaron Weshnak, former Head Brewer at The Booth, with the focus on brewing beer with Korean inspired flavors.

Japas Cervejaria was founded in 2014 by Maíra Kimura, Yumi Shimada, and Fernanda Ueno, who met through the Brazilian beer industry and connected over their shared Japanese-Brazilian heritage. Fernanda and Maíra both have over a decade brewing and Yumi is an accomplished graphic designer. They deftly combine Japanese and Brazilian ingredients in their beers.

King Cong Brewing was founded by Cong Nguyen. The son of Vietnamese immigrants, he graduated from the University of the Pacific in Stockton with a degree in Biology. After attempting to get into dental school, Cong pivoted and enrolled in UC Davis Master Brewers program and fell in love with the process. While working at his brother’s dental office during the day, he worked on perfecting his craft at night. Cong was eventually able to open his own taproom in 2017, he worked to create a welcome, community oriented atmosphere.

Cheers! 

Plumpjack Wine & Spirits

Dokkaebier Calamansi & Tea Lager

Oakland, CA USA

Tasting Notes: A clear medium amber with slightly thin mousse-like foam. Biscuit like malt notes along with candied lemon peel and tea on the nose.  Soft and malty with a slightly bitter citrus finish.

Head Brewer: Aaron Weshnak

$4.99 per can

Suggested Food Pairing: shrimp ceviche, fresh spring rolls


Japas Ma West Coast Pilsner

Sao Paulo, Brazil

Tasting Notes: A clear pale gold with fluffy foam with notes of green tea, guava, grapefruit, and fresh pine. Slightly dry herbaceous finish with moderate bitterness and flavors of fresh herbs, grapefruit peel, and tropical fruits. HBC 1019 and Cascade hops.

Head Brewer: Maíra Kimura, Yumi Shimada, and Fernanda Ueno

$5.99 per can

Suggested Food Pairing: Roasted root vegetables, hard cheeses, spicy dry sausages, cannellini bean salad


Japas San Tres Blonde Ale with guava and jasmine

Sao Paulo, Brazil

Tasting Notes: Slightly hazy amber with a fluffy white foam. Bright guava notes on the nose with a light floral character. Where the guava shows more on the nose, the jasmine shines on the palate framing flavors of guava and satsuma with a slightly bitter finish and pleasant graininess.

Head Brewer: Maíra Kimura, Yumi Shimada, and Fernanda Ueno

$5.99 per can

Suggested Food Pairing: Dim sum, chicken flautas


King Cong Brewing Third Rail Rider West Coast IPA

Sacramento, CA USA

Tasting Notes: Slightly hazy gold with fluffy foam and a tropical, piney nose.  Soft with moderate hop bitterness and a grainy maltiness balances notes of guava, passion fruit, and tangerine.

Head Brewer: Cong Nguyen

$4.99 per can

Suggested Food Pairing: Fish tacos, rajas, chile verde, mango habanero wings

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