"Lager is part of the DNA for the women in our family"

It's about inclusion — even if that might not be readily apparent to someone sipping a cold craft beer at a table in the beer garden, carpeted with reclaimed synthetic turf.

Getting into this really is a passion

"I know my grandmothers are looking down saying 'cheers to a good job'"

Bowens-Mercado hopes to see action follow the conversations within communities and to larger industry companies

Bowens-Mercado and her New Haven brewery “really stood out around just the work that they do around the community.

"The pavilion is a welcome opportunity for Alisa Bowens-Mercado, owner and brewmaster at Rhythm Brewing Co., which will be serving at GABF for the first time."

When you taste our Rhythm beers, you’re not only just tasting a great-tasting beer, you’re sipping on history.

The goal and the mission is to inspire and encourage other women to get into the beer industry.

We are on a superb mission in the beer industry to produce the finest quality beers that will inspire people to find their Rhythm in life.

It’s bigger than me and a can of beer or US and a can of beer, its really about the movement and opening doors for women.

Local brewers pushing to continue breaking stereotypes when it comes to the brewing industry.

My hope is to leave a legacy that changes the world and the beer industry, one sip at a time.

“There’s a lot of companies out there, like mine, that don’t get out of the highlight,” said Alisa Bowens-Mercado

A New Haven resident who runs her own brewery company

CEO and brewmaster of Connecticut’s Rhythm Brewing Co. She discusses how contract brewing is “a beautiful thing,” and how hard it can be to find Black folks and “beer-flavored beer” in New England.

To celebrate Black History Month 2023, we have updated our guide to black owned restaurants across the state of Connecticut.

"Alisa is dedicated to mentoring and paying it forward to entrepreneurs, her motto is to build more tables to pull up more seats."

After realizing the lack of Black-owned craft lagers on the market. What did she do about it? She created her own.

We’re passionate about the brand and we’re passionate about our journey, so any time we have the opportunity to share our beer and our backstory, that’s what we do as a company

New Haven-based Rhythm Brewing Co. and its founder, Alisa Bowens-Mercado, are among five finalists for the annual Samuel Adams Brewer Experienceship, which provides a yearlong mentorship to brewing entrepreneurs nationwide.

Rhythm Brewing hosts all types of events – including Rhythm and BBQ and dance events – inviting people to “Find your Rhythm in Life.”

When you walk into a room, and you are the only person that looks like you in that room, know that you are in the right room. That is where change happens

I hope this opens doors for females, No. 1, and people of color, so that we can diversify the industry.

We're letting folks know, 'Don't underestimate women in the industry.

If you are a female interested in brewing beer, the time is now and we are jumpstarting it with this collaboration.

You can never know too much about brewing. This program will facilitate the next brewers in the country.

My motto is ‘live, love, lager,’ ” says Bowens-Mercado, whose nickname is Lady Lager.

Who goes from dancing salsa to brewing beer?" SHE DOES

“This business needs more women,”

In addition to being the first Black woman brewer in Connecticut, Bowens-Mercado may be the first Black woman to appear on a can of beer.

We need to open door in industries that are grossing approximately $114 billion annually,” she said. “I’m on a mission to change the face of craft beer.

"...whose life took several turns from having founded a dance school to being the first black woman brewer in the state."

When I started seeing people I have never met before posting things and tagging 'Black-owned' and 'buy Black,' it brings a tear to your eye. People are in this with us together

We’re collectively getting together, and there’s an awareness in the country that wasn’t here before.

“When you’re doing something right, you’re undoubtedly going to get pushback,”

“I’m diversifying the tastes of America,”