Community Highlights: Meet Monique Gray of Mo Betta Brews LA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Monique Gray.

Hi Monique, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am a Home brewer who grew up in South Central Los Angeles that specializes in small batches of cider. I got into brewing about a year ago because of the pandemic. I’ve gone to many wineries and breweries and that’s when the vision hit me like hey I can do something like this… So I started doing research and found what I call a “super yeast” that works great with juice and it has a quicker fermentation process. I began experimenting and here we are today. The founder of Mo Betta Brews LA. I am a member of the Pink Boots LA Chapter(Pink Boots Society) an organization that educates and aspires women in the brewing industry. And current top recipient of the White Labs – Sour Beer: Alternative Microbes and Fermentation Techniques National Scholarship!! My goal is to create more space for black women in the brewing industry.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Obviously, we contribute a lot of things to Covid-19 and I believe this has been a big challenge for me considering my job by trade was in the wellness service industry. However, I do know that changing industries can be challenging for anybody. The lesson that I learned is that you will outgrow things and that’s ok. So far it’s been a smooth transition and that’s where creativity comes in….having the courage to step up and create a lane for yourself should usually make a smooth road IF you stay in your lane…

As you know, we’re big fans of Mo Betta Brews LA. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
This cider is homemade, gluten free, and only has 3 ingredients; it tastes delicious and comes in different flavors. Even though it’s a cider, Don’t sleep you are going to get that buzz you’re looking for. I am also very proud to have my brand be a part of the 1st Annual Peoples Harvest Jubilee, an historic event highlighting Black Breweries and Home Brewers.I want my readers to know that my brand Mo Betta Brews LA is carrying the torch and adding to that population of only 1% of Black People in the Craft Beer industry. I plan on having my own cidery where the community can come enjoy themselves and have a good time. Picture the first Black Woman Owned Cidery in Los Angeles ..can you see it? taste it? Also I want my readers to know that there are other things to drink out there instead of hard liquor. Try something different like cider.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Well, the meaning of Luck is: success or failure apparently brought by chance rather than through one’s own actions. So I guess you can say I have been lucky to a certain extent; However I am a very hard worker with great work ethics and I believe those characteristics may play a role in what we call “Luck” lol

Pricing:

• $20

Contact Info:

• Instagram: instagram.com/mobettabrewsla

Image Credits:
Photo at the @brewyourstory event by @cenia916