Cruz Blanca

Cruz Blanca Cerveza Premium Brand Rooted in history and innovation, Cruz Blanca is a Mexico City-inspired brewery, originally founded in 1869, it was reimagined in Chicago in 2016, as one of the first breweries in the U.S. to be solely dedicated to brewing premium cerveza. The portfolio showcases refreshing styles that capture the vibrant spirit and flavors of Mexico. Born of the collaboration between Cuban-born entrepreneur, Manny Valdes and Austin-native and brewmaster, Jacob Sembrano, Cruz Blanca captures a long journey of bringing Mexican hospitality to life in a context that celebrates the spirit of the place and its people. In the mid-1990s when craft beer was just getting started in the U.S., Valdes co-founded Frontera Foods to market a line of authentic Mexican food products for the contemporary American kitchen. Over the next 20 years, Valdes and his team traveled extensively through Mexico, exploring local markets and working with home cooks to learn first-hand about the ingredients, dishes, and culture that truly represent the complexity of Mexican cuisine. Along the way, Valdes fell in love with Mexico’s rich flavors and the casual, festive gatherings that always seem to include refreshing cervezas. Cruz Blanca Brewpub Located in Chicago’s West Loop, Cruz Blanca Brewpub blends refreshing cervezas with the warmth of Mexican hospitality. The menu pairs wood-fired ModMex tacos, Cali burritos, and tlayudas with house-brewed, Mexican-inspired beers—ranging from crisp lagers to bold seasonal ales. While the packaged beer brand now operates independently under Molson Coors, the brewpub remains owned by Valdes and continues to serve as the original home of Cruz Blanca, where the brand’s spirit of cultural intersection, bold flavors, and community connection is alive and thriving.