Asian Brothers Brewing Company: History in Every Brew
Taste can tell a story. For Michael and Dara Le, owners of Asian Brothers Brewing Company, this rings especially true.
The Asian craft beer business was founded with the intent of telling the story of brotherhood among displaced Hmong, Mien, Lao, Cambodian, Thai, and Vietnamese peoples following the Vietnam War.
“All of us share a common ground: our fate in history,” Michael said, “If it wasn’t for the Vietnam-American War, we wouldn’t be here today to bring you delicious beer and to share our stories with you.”
More than 50,000 refugees settled in California after the end of the war, determined to create a new home. But even outside of the state and across the globe, Asian Brothers Brewing Company honors Asian history in its creations. As new generations are born and grow up in the U.S., the business aims to ensure the legacy of strength and perseverance is not forgotten.
The Lao Jungle beer is one of the business’ many storied brews. After American troops pulled out of Vietnam, people fled to the jungles of Laos to escape oppressive regimes. Despite hardships in the refugee camps, many fell in love, got married, and had children.
A description of the beer on the business website explains, “For a moment in time, the jungle was home. The jungle was filled with culture. Now, the jungle is a part of our history.”
The Lao Jungle beer honors the struggles of refugees, but also celebrates happy moments and love shared, both past and present.
While every brew has a rich cultural background, Asian Brothers Brewing Company also considers local history in their business operations. This has culminated in their plans to build a new brewery and beer garden in Isleton in 2023. The city’s Asian history stretches back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when Chinese, Japanese, and Filipino immigrants settled into the region. Today, Isleton is home to both a Japanese and Chinese commercial district, and Asian Brothers Brewing Company looks forward to contributing to the area’s culture.
“Our hope is to transform the delta loop where we are into an ‘Asian Mekong,’ as in the Mekong River of Southeast Asia,” Michael said.
While the business is rooted in story and experience, it also carries dreams for a peaceful and happy future.
“We hope that one day, when our kids are going to drink beer like we do, we want them to lift our beers, smell the tropical fragrances, taste the sweet notes of our native lands, and read the stories behind each beer,” Michael said. “We want all our beer drinkers to experience the journey that brought our families here today and remember our people’s tragedy and heroism. Let’s toast to this as we continue to embrace and support each other.”
Enjoy a taste of Asian Brothers Brewing Company at:
731 W Brannan Island Rd
Isleton, CA 95641
Website: asianbrothersbrewery.com
Instagram: @asianbrothersbrew
Facebook: @asianbrothersbrewingco
YouTube: @asianbrothersbrewingcompan5591
Read more stories about AAPI-owned small businesses in Sacramento:
Niyama Design Studio: A Family That Stick(er)s Together
Local Champions of Custom Apparel
I Love Teriyaki – Who Doesn’t?
Written by: Sarah Ansari