What was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Honestly, the thought process behind starting our own business was basically survival. That sounds a bit aggressive, but that’s what it really was. I had just left my job as a civil engineer back in September 2019 to become a full time brewer and Mari was already working as a Digital Marketer… then the pandemic hit in March 2020. I went from working over 40 hours a week to MAYBE working 12 hours a week. I know I had a job back at the engineering firm if I wanted it, but I left already, I was ready to start the next chapter in my life and in our lives and we decided to pursue the option of starting our own brewery and that’s how Shōjō was born.

What should our readers know about your work? 
Well I am actually in an interesting place right now. I currently brew at Lincoln’s Beard Brewing Company while at the same time starting up Shōjō Beer Co with Mari (my wife and business partner). Funny enough, my boss John Falco actually became an officiate and married Mari and I in the mezzanine at Lincoln’s Beard before I even started working there. So while I work full time at Lincoln’s Beard, I am also gypsy brewing my own beer at another facility. We are doing it this way so we can save money while at the same time getting brand recognition and getting our name out there. Things have been going really well though, so we are currently in the process of finding a location to open the brewery!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would definitely take them to Matheson Hammock Park & Marina so we can hit the trails and hang by the water drinking some beer from Lincoln’s Beard and then head on over to Maxwell Bro’s so we can get beer, pizza, charcuterie boards & ice cream at Cry Baby Creamery. I would also take them to Brickell City Center so they can check it out for shopping, eating and drinking and then grab a night cap at Tobacco Road.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout? 
Michael Hernandez & Lissette Hernandez (Hungry Yokai). Jeff (Apocalypse BBQ). John Falco. Carla (Che Tanita).

Contact information:

Website: Https://Shojo.beer
Instagram: @shojobeerco

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutMiami is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.