Today we’d like to introduce you to Ernesto Garcia.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
In 2016, the first wine I ever made won an award for most unique wine in the San Diego fair. I thought maybe I can make something out of this but after some research, I realized I lacked the means to make that possible. So, I looked into other possible business ideas, but I wanted to be able to express myself and my culture. That’s where the idea of hard aqua frescas came from. In 2020, thanks to a collaboration with savagewood brewing, I was able to release my hard Tamarindo. It was a success and cans sold out in a couple hours. Over the course of the next two year, I released other flavors such as Jamaica, fresas con crema, café de la olla, and pepino. Now thanks to my partnership with Mister G’s salsa, I’m opening a tasting room in Miramar. Opening day 3/16
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’ve been very blessed on this journey, but it hasn’t been without difficulties. I’ve had people and other companies reach out wanting I sample my products or work on possible collaborations just to not hear from them again. There’s was times I took a steps forward just to have to start over again. I’ve definitely had many doors shut in my face, but somehow a better situation has come out of it.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a hard aqua frescas company. I am not a beer with aqua fresca flavors, I’m an alcoholic beverage whose focus is to keep as much of authentic flavors that we’ve learned to love from taco shops, street vendors or Saturday mornings at the spring valley swap meet. Everything that I do is very old school and traditional, and it comes from my parents. As a kid, my dad would dress me on my Levi pants, camisas de charro, and boots. I dress like this to every El Puerquito-related event and the way people take to it makes me extremely proud. People see that it’s not just an act or fake image, this is who I am, and it’s what my company stands for.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My advices to someone starting out is to be patient, don’t rush into anything just because people tell you that you’re ready. Don’t compromise your goals and dreams just to get there faster.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Elpuerquito_hardfrescas
