SouthNorte Establishes First US Craft Brewing Presence in Mexico

SouthNorte Brewing Co. out of San Diego, California has partnered with gastropark/brewpub Telefonica in Tijuana to establish the first U.S. craft brewing presence in Mexico.

“SouthNorte is centered around our love for Mexico and the region we live in.  To partner with Antonio Gamboa and the team at Telefonica is very exciting for us.  They are on the cutting edge of the food and drinks scene in Tijuana and this project allows us to interact directly with our fans in Mexico,” says Brandon Richards, CEO, SouthNorte Beer Co. in a release from the brewery.

Test brewing has already begun at Telefonica, with a launch date scheduled for late summer or early fall.

The full release regarding the partnership is below.

SAN DIEGO – June 21, 2018 – SouthNorte Beer Co. believes that life’s richest possibilities are found at the crossroads of cultures. This ethos permeates the company’s style-defying brews, and now SouthNorte is ready to take that passion south of the border. The company is proud to announce its partnership with the well-loved and highly acclaimed Telefonica Gastroparkin Tijuana, Mexico. The partnership allows SouthNorte to brew beers at Telefonica, making SouthNorte the first independent American craft brewery to have a permanent brewing home and tasting room presence in Mexico.

“SouthNorte is centered around our love for Mexico and the region we live in.  To partner with Antonio Gamboa and the team at Telefonica is very exciting for us.  They are on the cutting edge of the food and drinks scene in Tijuana and this project allows us to interact directly with our fans in Mexico,” says Brandon Richards, CEO, SouthNorte Beer Co.

Test brewing at Telefonica has already begun, with SouthNorte’s Brewmaster, Ryan Brooks, at the helm, overseeing recipe development and brewery operations. Brooks will continue to brew the company’s flagship beers—Agavemente, Sea Señor Mex Lager, and No Güey IPA—in San Diego, with smaller, experimental batches brewed in Tijuana. “I’ve been hanging out at Telefonica since it opened in 2015, so I’m pumped to have the opportunity to be partners in this venture. I’m really looking forward to collaborating with my friends in TJ, and using this brew system to experiment with new recipes and unique ingredients.”

The partnership evolved organically, with SouthNorte’s team meeting Gamboa and his crew through a gathering facilitated by the San Diego and Tijuana Mayors’ offices, and the Ministry of Economic Development of Tijuana (SEDETI). Almost immediately, the two companies realized their missions were incredibly aligned, and the idea to join forces began to crystallize.  The partnership exemplifies the broader cross-border efforts that the Mayors’ offices are working on.

“This exciting partnership is all about tapping the keg of opportunity created by the strong bonds between San Diego and Tijuana,” said San Diego Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer. “Relationships like this are possible in craft brewing, medical device manufacturing and so many other industries because of the work we’re doing to strengthen our binational ties. The fact that San Diego craft beer has its first permanent brewing home in Tijuana is a perfect example of how cross-border collaboration is good for our economy and our taste buds.”

“Our partnership with SouthNorte is an opportunity to showcase the growth of brewing in Tijuana.  I believe that an American brewery willing to plant roots in Tijuana is proof that Baja is leading the craft beer movement in Mexico,” says Antonio Gamboa, Founder, Telefonica. “Our goal at Telefonica is to bring different styles and flavor profiles of craft beer to a thirsty Mexican audience and we know this SouthNorte partnership will help us achieve that end.”

SouthNorte and Telefonica look forward to a late summer or early fall kick-off to debut several small-batch offerings. In addition to brewing on Telefonica’s system, SouthNorte will always be prominently featured on Telefonica’s curated beer menu at both their Tijuana locations.