Mexican lagers have become one of the most discussed and brewed styles in the U.S. craft beer world. From conference panels and podcasts to taproom debates and sensory workshops, the style is everywhere. But there’s a glaring omission in many of these conversations: Mexican brewers themselves.

This panel with Alex Ancona (Beer School), Sally Ayala (Alamo Beer Company) Lukas Medina (Temescal Brewing), Adrián Rodríguez-Montfort (Cervecería Paracaidista), centers Mexican industry voices to explore the history, evolution, and modern interpretations of Mexican lagers through the perspectives of those who grew up drinking, brewing, and reimagining them. From Vienna lager roots to contemporary light lager expressions, we’ll examine why defining a “Mexican lager” is complex, why that ambiguity matters, and how the conversation shifts when lived experience is part of it.

Inspired by a 2024 Instagram post from Adrián Rodríguez-Montfort, this is a good-faith discussion about history, brewing practice, and the value of including the right voices in the room. What happens when Mexican brewers are invited into the conversation about Mexican lagers?

Alex Ancona is a Mexican beer and wine sommelier, international beer judge, homebrewer, consultant, and educator with over a decade of experience in brewing, sensory evaluation, and training. He is the founder and director of Beer’s Cool – Escuela de Cerveza, has judged at more than 40 competitions including the World Beer Cup and Great American Beer Festival, and works to showcase the quality and diversity of Mexican beer worldwide. He helped develop the formal style structure for Mexican Lagers and created the Día de Muertos International Beer Cup, introducing new Mexican Cultural Seasonal Beer Styles that link craft brewing with one of Mexico’s most iconic traditions.

Sally Ayala is a brewer born and raised in Houston, Texas, where the city’s mix of cultures, flavors, and traditions shaped her palate and perspective from an early age. With family roots in Mexico and Spain she grew up surrounded by stories, food, and celebrations that crossed borders, an experience that now informs her approach to beer. Sally sees brewing as more than craft. Being in this space matters because representation in brewing is still rare, and she believes diversity strengthens the industry by bringing new ingredients, techniques, and voices to the table. She is proud to share beer that reflect both where she comes from and where she believes the industry can go: more inclusive, more flavorful, and more connected to the communities it serves.

Lukas Medina is a third-generation Mexican brewer whose family roots trace back to Southern California. Raised in La Habra on the border of Orange and Los Angeles counties, he carries forward a legacy that began when his great-grandparents arrived in Placentia during the 1940s bracero program, working in Orange County’s citrus groves picking oranges for Sunkist.

Lukas entered the beer industry at 21 through homebrewing, building a strong foundation in hospitality before moving into production. He worked extensively in front-of-house roles—including barback, bartender, bar lead, general manager, and beverage director—developing a holistic understanding of the craft beer ecosystem.

He began his professional brewing career in 2019 as a keg washer and cellarman at Phantom Carriage Blendery. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he relocated to Arizona to join Arizona Wilderness, where he advanced from cellarman to lead cellar. In 2021, he moved to the Bay Area to work at Temescal Brewing as a cellarman, later gaining experience at Almanac Brewing Co., Original Pattern Beer Co., and Trumer Brewery. Returning to Temescal, Lukas rose to Lead Brewer and, in 2025, was named Head Brewer.

Adrian Rodriguez-Montfort is the Founder of Cervecería Paracaidista, Mexico's foremost nomadic brewery which is currently brewing in the US in partnership with Pilot Project. Paracaidista (Mexican slang for traveler) is a project aimed at challenging the preconceptions around Mexican beer and has been deeply involved with the discussions around the cultural, historical and social aspects of Mexican Lagers. Adrian comes from a varied beer background which includes brewer, beer judge, importer, distributor among other hats. He is also Brand Ambassador for Beer 30, a software solution for independent breweries. 

THIS SESSION IS GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY

RYAN DANIELS