Austin Specialty Foods, a distributor of dry and refrigerated specialty food and beverages in the greater Austin area, is leading the mission to bring to the U.S. market authentic "real Mexican beer," starting with its home-based launch of Drinks Americas’ authentic brewed-in-Mexico beer brands, Mexicali Cerveza and Day of the Dead craft beer.

According to Drinks Americas, the U.S. broker for the two Mexican brands, “real Mexican beer” is defined as beer brewed and owned by Mexican companies rather than multi-national European companies. 

Drinks Americas' Mexicali is an iconic Mexican beer brand that is independently owned by a Mexican family. The company's Day of the Dead award-winning craft beer, which pays homage to Mexican culture and heritage, is also brewed and bottled straight from Mexico.

"We are thrilled to be the ones to bring 'real Mexican beer' back to Texas and to head up the movement nationwide,” says Ben Erwin, managing partner of Austin Specialty Foods. “Already, we have placed both authentic premium Mexican beer brands in over 100 accounts in just two unseasonably cold weeks. Thus far, the response we've received from our customers and theirs has been great—and with zero advertising."

"Austin Specialty Foods recognizes and appreciates the quality and opportunity we have in brewing, marketing, and packaging, and providing the market with the only 'real Mexican beer' brewed in Mexico and owned by Mexicans—and that means a lot to our team," says Joseph Belli, VP of sales, Day of the Dead Craft Beer. “We're thrilled to have them head up the movement back to real Mexican beer, beginning in trendsetting Austin, and look forward to growing this movement nationwide."

Adds Timothy Owens, CEO of Drinks Americas, "Texas is an advantageous market for us given its high Mexican population and close proximity to our Mexican owned brewery. Located in Austin, known to be a highly visible trendsetting city, Austin SF will be instrumental in helping us re-ignite a passion for 'real Mexican beer'—both iconic and craft—among the city's trendy craft beer-following. We are happy to have them represent our brands and are excited to see their success in the market.”