Bruin-Owned Beverage Businesses 2

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ho’s ready for a drink? Whether it’s a refreshing craft beer or specialty coffee, a fruity cocktail or full-bodied wine, this sequel to 2021’s Bruin-Owned Beverage Businesses will tempt you to taste UCLA excellence in liquid form. Order online or go out for a good time with friends to quench your summer thirst!

First Draft Taproom and Kitchen

Founders: Carol Pickle '77 and Kevin Slattery '77 

Location: 1230 S. Olive St., Los Angeles, CA 90015

Phone: 213-536-5267

Website: firstdraftdtla.com

Email: mark@firstdraft.beer

Social: @firstdraftdtla

About:

First Draft LA is located in the South Park area of Downtown Los Angeles while First Draft Denver resides in the RiNo area of Denver. Both establishments provide a location where beer, cider, wine and hard seltzer enthusiasts can meet and socialize, while enjoying high-quality products in an information-based environment. In L.A.'s 70-tap environment, customers use tap card technology to individually manage their drinking and eating experience. First Draft provides a wide-ranging set of food selections, all locally sourced. Located on the northeast corner of Olive and Pico streets, just a few blocks from LA Live, Crypto.com Arena and the Convention Center, First Draft combines the self-serve technologies of Pour Your Own, amazing food selections, a great staff, several different event and party areas, and an awesome heated outdoor patio and atmosphere. First Draft Taproom and Kitchen supports UCLA Athletics.

Review:

“Great food, huge beer selection and cool vibe. Our first time visiting, take a minute to register and get a tap card, use the tap card for whatever beer or beers you want up to 32oz per day. You pay by the ounce at the end of the meal and they can give you a report that shows what you had and how much. It is easy to track what beers you like. The food was great, fresh burger, tasty fried cauliflower, pretzel balls and the mac and cheese were perfect. Kids are welcome, upstairs/downstairs and inside/outside seating choices. Great stop before a game or next time you are downtown!” - Chris W.

The New Bar

Founder: Brianda Gonzalez ’17

Location: 1821 S. Lincoln Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90291

Phone: 424-781-9962

Website: thenewbar.com

Email: contact@thenewbar.com

Social: @thenewbar

About:

The New Bar is a place for anyone and everyone who wants to drink less. We’re not here to judge you. We’re here to give you products, tools and information to be more mindful, intentional and healthy about the way you drink — whatever that means to you. We’ve spent a lot of time discovering what's out there in the nonalcoholic beverage world, so now when we pick products for our site, we know what we're looking for and have standards every product should meet. We hope that you find this place useful, and that you have a good time using it. And we hope that you discover what we know to be true — that it’s fun to be good to yourself.

Review:

“What a delightful experience! Misha greeted me with a delicious cocktail! She told me about a couple of different non-alcoholic wines. Some I knew and some I didn't. They have a ton of non-alcoholic beers, wines, mocktails, etc. Great prices too.” - Erika S.

TuMe

Co-Founder: Shaina Zaidi ’07

Location: E-Commerce

Phone: 818-237-5105

Website: drinktume.com

Email: info@drinktume.com

Social: @tumewater

About:

Team TuMe is comprised of a family of athletes, doctors and scientists. Together we combine science with ancient Ayurveda medicine, aka “science of life,” to bring a sports water unlike any other sports drink. We were tired of the typical sugary sports drinks, overpriced juices and water with no added benefits, so we set out to create something better and reinvented sports drinks for the modern athlete.

Review:

“I am a doctor and I know about the benefits of turmeric. I drink TuMe to boost my immunity and give me energy for long shifts. It's kid-friendly and mine love it!" - K. W.

Hall Of Fame Spirits

Founder: Jerry Draper ’92

Location: E-Commerce based in Scottsdale, Arizona

Website: halloffamespirits.com

Email: team@hofvodka.com

Social: @HOFVodka

About:

A passion for perfection and the enjoyment of all aspects of the game runs deep in our Hall Of Fame Spirits family. Our mission is twofold. First and foremost is to inspire the world’s best American-made ultra-premium Vodka. Second is to create a distinctive brand that bottles and elicits all the intensity, emotions, valence and fandom that endears us to the game and makes us true sports fans!

Review:

“I was looking to try a different vodka. I like to try different brands and types except flavored (eww). This one tastes good. No bite, no strong alcohol smell. I really like the 90 proof!” - DMT

Moonwake Coffee Roasters

Co-Founder: Mabel Yeung ’13

Location: E-Commerce and Mobile Popup in Cupertino, California

Phone: 408-320-5813

Website: moonwakecoffeeroasters.com

Social: @moonwakecoffeeroasters

About:

Moonwake Coffee Roasters is dedicated to producing specialty coffee that brings you a moment of calm, respite and introspection from the world outside — in whatever circumstance life finds you. We meticulously curate and roast in small batches to present you with an enjoyable, captivating cup. Our name “Moonwake” comes from the reflection of the moon on a body of water — a place where we can forget our troubles, even if only briefly.

Review:

“These folks simply roast delicious coffee! They are very particular as to the quality and have a staff that is really into and enjoys coffee! I'm going back just to trust them and try a suggested drink of some sort I've never had before as I really like coffee as well! Friendly, fun...‍” - Brian D.

CALI Distillery

Co-Founder: Howard Witkin ’87

Location: 8950 W. Olympic Blvd, Suite 179, Beverly Hills, CA 90211

Phone: 424-286-2474

Website: calidistillery.com

Email: info@calidistillery.com

Social: @calidistillery

About:

California is a sun-washed land of dreamers and builders, with a relaxed creativity and natural luxury inspiring the world. CALI whiskeys are a reflection of that warm, welcoming, mellow culture. Rich and smooth with a deep tan and a bit of easy-going complexity, CALI Distillery whiskeys are a California twist on classic American sipping whiskeys. We hope that you will enjoy our spirits and share with your friends. ​We make every bottle by hand — in our little beach town distilled spirits plant — from all-natural ingredients.

Review:

“I thought this was closer to a traditional whiskey with sweet notes but it’s more like a honey bourbon. It’s good but sweeter than I thought. If you like a honey bourbon this would definitely be one to try.” - K.O.

Couplet Coffee

Founder: Gefen Skolnick ’20

Location: E-Commerce and Multiple Locations

Website: coupletcoffee.com

Email: gefen@coupletcoffee.com

Social: @couplet

About:

Hi. We're Couplet. We’re passionate about specialty coffee, but it’s just sooooo douchey. Queer woman-owned and built for everyone, we created Couplet to make great coffee more fun and approachable. We skip the pretentious tasting notes and gatekeeping and get right to the good part — ridiculously delicious coffee you can prepare however you like.

Review:

“Couplet Coffee totally rocked my world! Being part of the LGBTQ+ family, it's so cool to support this queer-owned spot. The owner's vibes are super welcoming and inclusive. And even though I'm not usually a coffee person, their brews are off the charts, seriously. They're all about diversity and inclusivity, which is so rad. I can't wait to swing by Couplet Coffee again – it's not just about the coffee; it's about the whole awesome vibe they've got going on.” - Walid M.

Aura Bora

Co-Founder: Paul Voge ’16

Location: E-Commerce and Multiple Stores

Website: aurabora.com

Email: hello@aurabora.com

Social: @drinkaurabora

About:

If sparkling water is meant to be delightful and delicious, why do most brands have uninspired flavors, icky ingredients, added sweeteners and bitter aftertastes? We took matters into our own hands. After years of flavor testing, ingredient sourcing and carbonation tweaking, Aura Bora was born! A delicious and flavorful sparkling water made with herbs, fruits and flowers.

Review:

“I love the unique taste of each of the flavors. I tried just about all of them and maybe some are better than others, but I like all of them. At this point, the only problem I’m having is out of stock and currently unavailable. The cans sometimes come slightly damaged but so far none are too damaged to keep me from drinking.” - Vicky W.

Royal Wine & Spirits

Founder: David Green ’90

Location: E-Commerce

Phone: 707-280-1217

Website: royalwinespirit.com

Email: david@royalwinespirit.com

Social: @RoyalPrinceWines

About:

Royal Wine & Spirits is a modern boutique négociant house, committed to sourcing and making American wines that consistently transcend their price points. With over 50,000 cases in production and a growing stable of brands, Royal Wine & Spirits is poised for significant expansion. Our world-class wine-making team upholds the highest quality at every point in the wine-making process. We own our responsibility to produce quality. We touch every price point, creating wines of precision, power, elegance and zero pretentiousness. All of this defines our mission, to democratize deliciousness.

Review:

“Deep-black fruits, generous oak spices and a velvety texture add up to a luscious, drinkable wine with plenty of heft on the palate and a lingering finish. The wine is laced with fine-grained tannins that give it some grip without harshness.” - W.E.

Enelalma

Founder: Melanie Shelby ’95

Location: E-Commerce

Website: enelalmatequila.com

Email: info@enelalmatequila.com  

Social: @enelalmatequila

About:

The soul is the foundation of our personality, intellect, will and emotion. It endures the physical to see beyond. Tasting Enelalma epitomizes that experience in every sip. From the passion of our founder Melanie Shelby to the artistry of our master distiller Oscar Vazquez to the rich terroir and beauty of the Highlands; culture, legacy and distinction await your journey of discovery. Enelalma honors the rich legacy, heritage and shared experience of indigenous and African-American cultures through partnership and collaboration.

Review:

“Agave forward, fairly sweet and a nice long finish. Not overly complex. Would be a great choice for someone starting their journey into quality tequila.” - Dustin L.

DrinkLyte

Founder: Victoria Brodsky, MBA ’23

Location: E-Commerce

Phone: 310-905-6755

Website: drinklyte.co

Email: hello@drinklyte.co

Social: @drinklyte

About:

DrinkLyte is a lightning-fast electrolyte rehydration that helps you recover after you've been drinking so you can be healthier and feel your best the next day.

Review:

“I tried DrinkLyte for the first time at an event when I was out in L.A. for a conference. I have to say, it is hands down my favorite rehydration solution on the market. I have tried almost every brand and DrinkLyte is the best tasting and most effective. I live in Colorado and I buy them online religiously. 10/10 recommend.” - Blake M.

Trail Marker Wine Company

Co-Founder: Emily Virgil, MBA ’21

Location: E-Commerce

Website: trailmarkerwineco.com

Email: hello@trailmarkerwineco.com

Social: @trailmarkerwineco

About:

We source fruit from family-owned, responsibly farmed and passionately cared for vineyards from the Santa Cruz Mountains, Mendocino Coast and Lodi. Our minimal intervention winemaking style allows us to make wines that are high acid, and low alcohol — well-balanced expressions of these excellent vineyards. We serve our wines at our table with great pride and think you will too.

Review:

“Yum. Nice nose. Light, but vibrant red fruit. Delicate. Spices, light acidity, long tangy finish. This is a pinot drinker pinot, not a cab drinker looking for robust wine. Reminds me of Rhy’s pinots, which are outstanding. Very good wine, I would definitely buy again and in bulk.” - Jon K.

Saṃsāra

Founder: Aditya Aggarwal ’16

Location: E-Commerce

Phone: 310-402-1717

Website: spacemanspiritslab.com

Email: hello@spacemanandcompany.com

Social: @samsaragin

About:

Saṃsāra is an Indian craft gin that brings people together to celebrate the inherent human passion for self-expression, curiosity and wanderlust. Thoughtfully crafted in a new age India, Saṃsāra bottles the “free spirit” and embodies the very essence of exploration.

Review:

“Warm non-alcoholic pink gin and tonic mixed with Samsāra gin and some ice cubes gives the best flavor and taste. Simple yet the best drink, it's always a pleasure to try some new, wild experiments with this beautiful gin!” - Karan K.

Roots & Vines Wine

Founder: Jennifer White ’97, M.P.P. ’06

Location: E-Commerce

Website: rootsandvineswine.com

Email: info@rootsandvineswine.com

Social: @rootsandvineswine

About:

SISTERcircle honors the legacy of generations of women who labored fruitlessly on vineyards in South Africa through its birth of Roots & Vines Wine. Our wine is exquisitely full-bodied, powerfully sophisticated and distinctively African as its creators. We economically empower Black women and bring exceptional wines from South Africa made by Black women. Without leaving the comfort of your own home, you can immerse yourself in the culture and beauty of Africa.

Review:

“Greenish nose with green bell pepper, grassy herbs with dill and sage, a smoky touch and the usual load of gooseberries with some lemon, grapefruit and passion fruit. Crispy fresh on the palate with lively lime and Granny Smith acidity followed by quite the finish with a bit too much grapefruit bitters that cost a few digits, but still lovely SB!” - Raf D.

Armistice Brewing Company

Co-Founder: Alex Zobel, M.A. ’12, Ph.D. ’16

Locations: 845 Marina Bay Parkway, Suite 1, Richmond, CA 9404 — 510-230-4966                
1040 Clinton St., Napa, CA 94559 — 707-320-6321

Website: armisticebrewing.com

Email: contact@armisticebrewing.com

Social: @armisticebeer

About:

As siblings, we know firsthand how beer brings people together. The name Armistice gestures toward Richmond's place in twentieth-century geopolitics, but it also describes what brewing beer did for our relationship as brother and sister. We started brewing together as a way of coping and catching up not long after our mother was diagnosed with cancer. When mom’s health took a turn for the worse, we left Los Angeles, where Gregory was pursuing a career in film and television and Alex was finishing her doctorate and moved to our family’s home in Napa to help care for mom. We continued brewing beer together in our family’s big red barn and after winning several prestigious beer competitions, we started hatching plans to open a commercial operation so we could share our beer with more people. After our mother passed in 2015 the barn was torn down, but we saved the wood to incorporate into the taproom bar in a nod to our family roots.

Review:

“Cute little local brew co. Everyone there is always really nice. They have a food truck outside the brewery so you can get some food while you're there. Nice dog-friendly outdoor patio with a fire pit. The service is really good. The staff is very friendly. I really like the seltzer beer that they have. All of their beers are on draft which is cool and they brew everything themselves. They have a wide variety of different beers. Overall it has a chill vibe and fun atmosphere but is definitely more mellow of a spot (not in a bad way)!‍” - Makaela S.

Brouwerij West

Co-Founder: Dave Holop, J.D. ’11

Location: 110 E 22nd Street, Warehouse No. 9, San Pedro, CA 90731

Phone: 310-833-9330

Website: brouwerijwest.com

Email: email@brouwerijwest.com

Social: @brouwerijwest

About:

As a production brewery, tasting room and beer garden, Brouwerij West encompasses 26,000 sq. ft., including 8,000 sq. ft. devoted to visitor use for our tasting room, and 17,000 sq. ft. as an outdoor courtyard/beer garden. The overall tasting room space hosts a multitude of events, including beer festivals, concerts, weddings, conferences and more. Inspired by the past, we brew our beers using traditional ingredients and methods combined with progressive experimentation to produce our own take on classic Belgian-style ales, pilsners, IPAs and more. Our facility is covered with solar panels and generates more electricity than it uses, and our mash filter-based brewery uses 30% less water than traditional breweries.

Review:

“I spend a good chunk of my disposable income at Brouwerij West LOL. The "choose your own to-go cans" are my usual, but sometimes just sitting down with a fresh pour while enjoying the sunset is what the day calls for! I've also attended many events here as well and am always excited for the next. Whether it's New Year's Eve celebrations, a casual Saturday or a covers concert, BW offers SO much to us in San Pedro! Great location, great ambiance, awesome staff, affordable prices... I will sing their praises forever.‍” - A.T.

Progress Brewing

Co-Founders: Diego Benitez, MBA ’19 and Kevin Ogilby ’11

Location: 1822 Chico Ave., South El Monte, CA 91733

Phone: 626-552.9603

Website: progress-brewing.com

Email: info@progress-brewing.com

Social: @progressbrewing

About:

Progress Brewing is one of the original breweries in the San Gabriel Valley, serving up a wide variety of craft beer styles in their South El Monte taproom with outdoor patio seating and an exclusive beer club membership.

Review:

“Smooth and tasty! The description next to that one was creamy ale and it definitely satisfied my taste buds! They also allow you to sample the beers on tap so I went ahead and tried the sandia loca which had chamoy instilled inside the beer already! I am a weenie when it comes to spice but for all the spicy lovers I'd recommend that beer. Overall the staff was great and friendly and the service was very fast. I'd recommend this place for a nice smooth Friday night‍” - Gabby A.

RÄK Spirits

Founder: Karina Saranovic ’09

Location: E-Commerce

Phone: 310-560-9481

Website: rakspirits.com

Email: cheers@rakspirits.com

Social: @rakspirits

About:

A traditional staple of Europe for centuries, rakia is a flavorful, premium spirit made by distilling a variety of fruits and just adding water. It is enjoyed either in its purest form or integrated into endless cocktail recipes. Importantly, it is universally best consumed with good company, family and friends.

Review:

“‍RÄK is an alcohol that actually tastes great by itself and then gets even better in a cocktail. The apricot and pear are my favorites because their unique fruity flavors seem to go with almost everything.” - A.J.M.

Alfred Coffee

Founder: Josh Zad, MBA ’06

Locations: 8428 Melrose Place, Los Angeles, CA 90069 and more

Phone: 323-870-1100

Website: alfred.la

Email: info@alfredcoffee.com

Social: @alfred

About:

Alfred Coffee was founded by entrepreneur Josh Zad on iconic Melrose Place in early 2013. From the start, Alfred was a cult-favorite brand, building a passionate following through an emphasis on bar-raising drinks, eye-catching designs and top-notch customer service. At Alfred, we go beyond classic coffee drinks, offering specialty beverages like our Lavender Latte, Chagaccino, Matchaga and more. For each new cafe, we draw design inspiration from the surrounding neighborhood, while signature elements like our World Famous Iced Vanilla Latte and trademarked tagline “But First, Coffee.” remain steadfast throughout. Alfred currently boasts over 20 locations across Los Angeles, Austin, San Francisco and the Middle East, with more coming soon!

Review:

“Very cute coffee shop on Melrose. Luckily there was no wait to order and the employees were incredibly friendly. The Lavender Latte was amazing! It was so flavorful and complimented the taste of espresso, loved it. I love the dark aesthetic they go for; it's deliberate and creative. They have a table to sit and quite a few other chairs. Very fast service, we waited less than two minutes for both drinks.” - Citlaly T.

Jiant

Co-Founder: Larry Haertel Jr., MBA ’15

Location: E-Commerce and Available in Multiple Locations

Phone: 424-571-3573

Website: drinkjiant.com

Email: hi@drinkjiant.com

Social: @drinkjiant

About:

Founded in 2019 in Los Angeles by Larry Haertel Jr. and Aaron Telch, Jiant (Spelled Wrong, Tastes Right) stands as a pioneer in the modern alcohol industry, offering flavorful, junk-free beverages. Our gluten-free products, including hard teas, kombuchas and cocktail-inspired drinks, are crafted from sustainably sourced ingredients and available across the U.S. Recently, Jiant became Climate Neutral Certified, reflecting our commitment to sustainability by offsetting and reducing our carbon footprint and eliminating plastic from our production. This underscores our pledge to offer products that align with consumer values and environmental stewardship.

Review:

“Delicious pineapple flavor up front with a kick of jalapeño in the back. Tastes just like a margarita, but I know it’s healthy! This is going to be my go-to drink this summer.” Ashley M.‍

Francis Ford Coppola Winery

Founder: Francis Ford Coppola, M.F.A. ’67

Location: 300 Via Archimedes, Geyserville, CA 95441

Phone: 707-857-1471

Website: francisfordcoppolawinery.com

Email: guestservices@francisfordcoppolawinery.com

Social: @coppolawine

About:

“I’ve always been influenced by the idea of Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, which was the inspiration for ultimately all modern amusements parks. I remember the beautiful theater pavilions with the curtains painted with peacock feathers that had little ballet performances. At Tivoli, there were rides, but more important than the rides were the cafes and the refreshments, and just the sense of being in a children’s garden, a ‘pleasure garden’ for all people to enjoy — which perhaps is the best phrase to describe what we’re creating here. I thought Francis Ford Coppola Winery could become such a park for the family to go and enjoy, where there are things for kids to do, so they can be close to their parents who are sampling wines and foods.” - Francis Ford Coppola

Review:

“The best. If you love movies and wine, what more could you ask for? This place has it all. 1. There's a pool onsite. If you rent a cabine (which is spendy, but worth it at least once), you have a space to comfortably change, shower and store your things safely. It's very small but was nice to not have to carry everything around for a full day at the winery. 2. They have a full bar in addition to their great selection of wines. They even have fun, unique cocktails. Great for a group. 3. They have a mini-museum that's really well-organized, filled with goodies from Coppola films. Super fun to see and makes it more than ‘just a winery’ experience. 4. The service is great — whether in person or chatting with their staff over the phone/email. We tried a wine tasting (one of which is complimentary if you're part of the wine family) and the person helping us was so informative and kind. 5. They have a wonderful restaurant with delicious food. I can’t recommend this place enough! It's a must-stop every visit to this part of California.” Katherine S.

***

To submit a Bruin-owned business for future consideration, please send a note to connectfeedback@alumni.ucla.edu.

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