With deep connections to San Diego’s historic Barrio Logan community, Mujeres Brew House celebrates heritage, home and much more through its creative lineup of craft beers. This pioneering women- and Latina-owned company is now a member of the San Diego Tourism Authority’s 2025 Tourism Accelerator cohort. In honor of Women’s History Month, we chatted with founder Carmen Velasco-Favela about the inspirations behind the business and what she loves best about her neighborhood and San Diego.
Q: Tell us a little about yourself and what inspired you to launch Mujeres Brew House.
A: Barrio Logan has always had a special place in my heart. My parents lived in the barrio when I was a child and sent me to the local daycare and my father painted lowriders for the local car clubs. I just had a connection to the community that lasted my whole life. When I moved back to San Diego, I discovered that there was an exciting scene developing in the barrio, where Latinos were starting new businesses like Salud!, La Bodega, Border X Brewing and others.
When I started Mujeres Brew House, I wanted to follow in that tradition, but create a unique space for women, and particularly Latinas, that would be welcoming for the broader community. In a male-dominated industry, there really were no women-owned, let alone Latina-owned and -managed craft breweries, and I wanted to make sure we stood out and reflected our unique style and taste.
Q: What is a must-do experience at your business?
A: As a Latina-owned and -managed craft brewery, of course our unique styles and recipes are a must for any first-time visitor. Order a flight of our most unique beverages, grab some tacos from our vendors and pick a spot to people-watch, or visit some of the art vendors during our markets. On Saturdays, we often host beer tours or special events with the community, so make sure to follow us on social media to stay informed.
Q: How do you support or partner with local organizations, nonprofits or community groups to contribute to the well-being of the San Diego community?
A: We are but a thread in the tapestry of our community! From Day One, we always knew that we would be at our best when we partnered with the community. Whether it was hosting a fundraiser or clothing drive, or partnering with the LGBTQ community during Pride Week, we have always considered our connections to the community as critical to our mission. On any given month, we may host four to five different community driven events. As a result, we have a huge online following and incredible support across San Diego!
Q: What are a few of your local favorites within your neighborhood? If someone were to come to your business, what are a few surrounding things that would be interesting to do?
A: Barrio Logan is a very special place in San Diego, and considered the real Latino cultural heartbeat of the city. From its origin in the 1880s, the neighborhood has been a multiethnic community providing housing, jobs and services for the Mexican, Japanese and African-American community.
As a result, there are layers and layers of culture and landmarks with stories behind each one of them. Chicano Park of course is the key anchor for our community both because of the unique history behind it, and for the beautiful murals that tell the stories of our community.
After that, I would recommend a meal at Fish Guts, a small taco shop producing the best fish tacos in San Diego. On any given day, you will see a line of customers happily waiting for their turn.
If Mexican-American comfort food is more your thing, then don’t snooze on Las Cuatro Milpas, a classic, stripped-down joint that has been in operation for over 75 years. Low-cost, home-style beans, rice, handmade tortillas and carnitas are the classic go-tos, but they have crispy tacos and other delicious classics.
Lastly, while an oddball restaurant in a Chicano neighborhood, Ciccia Osteria is a place everyone loves. The owners are Italian immigrants who believe that great, made-from-scratch, farm-style Italian food transcends any cultural barriers, and boy were they right! Best for dinner; make sure to make a reservation or go early to catch a seat.
Q: Locally, where do you go to connect with your heritage? What are some of your favorite Latina- or women-owned businesses, events and organizations in San Diego?
A: Sometimes you just need to wind down and recharge, and my favorites start in my own backyard with Bread and Salt. It is a sprawling former bakery housing Mujeres Brew House, Provecho Coffee and multiple art spaces and studios.
My other favorites include special events throughout the year, such as the San Diego Latino Film Festival, the San Diego Food + Wine Festival and Mexico in a Bottle, a mescal-themed food and drink event.
Lastly, I am inspired by other Latina companies, such as Artelexia in North Park, Sew Loka in Barrio Logan, and the multiple women-owned art studios on Logan Avenue.
Q: If someone were coming to San Diego for the first time, what would you tell them to do? (Besides visit your business, of course!)
A: San Diego is blessed with an incredible variety of experiences! My favorite is taking a quick trip to Tijuana for delicious street tacos or traveling to Valle de Guadalupe for Michelin star chef prepared meals. My other favorite is visiting our beautiful coastline for a leisurely sun session or taking on the hiking trails at Torrey Pines. Finally, visiting Julian for some gold rush era history, delicious apple pie, or local hike among the pines are always a great day!
Q: What do you think would most surprise a newcomer to San Diego?
A: The greatest surprise of San Diego is simply the wide variety of experiences you can pack in a single day! From spending a day walking on the bay, hiking the pines in local mountains, or taking in the spring bloom in the desert of Anza-Borrego, San Diego packs a great variety. Culturally, you can visit multiple ethnic enclaves from the Asian culinary experience on Convoy, Filipino restaurants in Miramar, and Barrio Logan’s Latino community in a single day.
San Diego surprises those who are looking to pack as many diverse experiences as possible into a single day!
Q: Looking forward, what makes you excited about growing your business in San Diego? And do you have any new events or experiences that would be great for returning visitors?
A: There are three big experiences in Barrio Logan you can’t miss! In April, Chicano Park Day celebrates the history of the neighborhood and unique Chicano culture. The park is filled with hundreds of beautiful low-riders, food vendors and cultural events like Aztec dancers & bands. In July we celebrate Friday Kahlo’s birthday with a major event at Mujeres. And lastly, Dia de Los Muertos is our favorite celebration of our past and our future. Art, music, food and traditional altars symbolize the beauty of holding onto your culture.
Q: Finally, what is your recommended must-order item on the Mujeres Brew House menu?
A: A Latina craft beer experience has to include a michelada! For many years, the craft beer community ignored the Mexican classic until we started making our craft michelada. We take the classic tomato and spices mix, and combine it with either a classic lager or use the delicious Pepino Sour beer from Border X to make something truly unique.