- Hyphenly by Immigrantly
- Posts
- Beer Day: Do You Know These 4 Immigrant-Founded Breweries?
Beer Day: Do You Know These 4 Immigrant-Founded Breweries?
In partnership with
Dear Hyphenly Readers,
Beer Day was August 1st, a fitting time to reflect on how immigration has shaped the history and flavor of American beer.
In the United States, beer feels quintessentially American—you drink it at football games, backyard barbecues, and on the Fourth of July.
But did you know many of the country’s most iconic brews were created by immigrants?
"Immigrant German men came and transformed brewing into a professional industry in America." Theresa McCulla, Curator of the American Brewing History Initiative for PBS.
In the mid-1800s, waves of German immigrants arrived with lager yeast and a love for lively beer gardens, introducing crisp lagers that quickly overtook the heavy ales Americans used to prefer.
By 1900, nearly 90% of beer brewed in America was lager.
A prime example is Yuengling, America's oldest operating brewery, founded by German immigrant David G. Yuengling in Pottsville, Pennsylvania.
Today, a new generation of immigrants and first-generation brewers is reviving old traditions and infusing new flavors, showing that the American beer story remains inseparable from the immigrant experience.
This resurgence began gaining steam in the 2000s as the craft beer movement exploded, and immigrant brewers began to carve out space in the industry.
And this new generation of immigrant brewers started introducing beer styles and branding rooted in their cultural backgrounds. For example, Dyckman Beer Co., founded in New York City by Juan Camilo, infuses Dominican heritage into its beer offerings with ingredients like cacao from the Dominican Republic.
In cities across the U.S., immigrant-owned breweries are now putting their cultural heritage front and center:
Highland Brewing Company (Asheville, NC) was established by Oscar Wong, a Jamaican immigrant of Chinese descent. It's one of North Carolina’s prominent craft breweries. They are independent and family-owned. |
Immigrant Son Brewery (Lakewood, OH): Imagined by Andrew Revy, son of Hungarian immigrants. |
La Doña Cervecería Brewery (Mineapolis, MN): A Latino Minesotan Brewery. One of the owners is Sergio Manancero, has Uruguayan roots. |
Dyckman Beer Company (New York, NY) was founded by Juan Camilo, an immigrant from the Dominican Republic. This is a New York City Latino-owned brewery. |
Asian Brothers Brewing Co.(Isleton, CA): Michael and Dara Le, owners of Asian Brothers Brewing Company, are the makers of Asian craft beer. |
These brewers aren’t just making beer. They’re building culture, reclaiming space, and expanding the definition of what “American” beer really means. Their stories and flavors bring new perspectives and voices to an industry long shaped by tradition and immigration.
(Whether you choose alcoholic or non-alcoholic options, please enjoy responsibly.)
Have you ever had a chance to visit an immigrant-owned brewery in your area?
More cross-cultural food and drink stories on Immigrantly. Check out this episode, in which Saadia is joined by Chef and activist Jenny Dorsey to unpack the politics of race, class, and colonialism on our plates.
The best HR advice comes from people who’ve been in the trenches.
That’s what this newsletter delivers.
I Hate it Here is your insider’s guide to surviving and thriving in HR, from someone who’s been there. It’s not about theory or buzzwords — it’s about practical, real-world advice for navigating everything from tricky managers to messy policies.
Every newsletter is written by Hebba Youssef — a Chief People Officer who’s seen it all and is here to share what actually works (and what doesn’t). We’re talking real talk, real strategies, and real support — all with a side of humor to keep you sane.
Because HR shouldn’t feel like a thankless job. And you shouldn’t feel alone in it.
This newsletter was curated by Laïny Jernidier.
Hyphenly curates the latest news, art, and businesses from immigrants around the world. Have a tip or story we should feature? We’d love to hear from you.
Visit us at www.immigrantlypod.com