USA, MA: Roundhead Brewing to become New England’s first Latino-owned brewery

New England’s first Latino-owned brewery is coming soon to Boston after getting license approval from the state. The founder of Roundhead Brewing told Boston 25 News he’s aiming to open by August in the Westinghouse Plaza complex in Hyde Park.

Luis Espinoza, who’s originally from Peru, has been researching and experimenting with creating his own beer for the last 10 years. He spends a lot of time in the basement of his Jamaica Plain home finetuning the recipes of his signature microbrews.

“Sometimes my wife is calling me, and she can’t find me because I’m down here,” Espinoza explained. “I got into beer fermentation and started from there, reading books and informing myself.”

Espinoza is hoping to inspire other aspiring minority-owned businesses by proving that it’s possible.

“Being the first Latino brewer in New England is so exciting,” Espinoza said. “Every culture has a little bit to offer in the brewing world. I hope, with this brewery, I can give opportunities to others.”

The father of two credits his supportive family and his business partner, who helped turn his dream into a reality.

“We were applying to banks, and during COVID, banks were not providing capital,” said Craig Panzer, who met Espinoza at a youth soccer game. “I think that’s a real challenge, particularly for communities of color.”

Panzer said the Boston Impact Initiative Fund played a pivotal role in assisting.

“They said, in good times and bad, they aren’t going to stop investing in small businesses that could have an impact on the community,” Panzer said.

In addition to opening the brewery and taproom later this year, Espinoza and Panzer are now looking into ways to get Roundhead Brewing beer on retail shelves.