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Throughout my freelance beer-writing career, one person\\u2019s name has continued to pop up as someone to pay attention to. That person is Laura Garcia, a brewer who has worked across the state of Baja California, but primarily in Baja\\u2019s capital city of Mexicali, which also happens to be her hometown.

But this isn\\u2019t a story about how I know Laura. It\\u2019s a story about why you should. Hailed by many as the best brewer in Baja, Laura worked her way from beer lover to beer judge to brewer and beyond. The pandemic interrupted her career trajectory, but she hasn\\u2019t let that dampen her enthusiasm for the craft. In fact, she\\u2019s using this time and space to reflect on what she wants for herself, for her beer community, and the Mexican craft beer scene at large.

During the course of our conversation, Laura reveals how Mexicali\\u2019s scorching heat and surprisingly early brewing history helped launch the area\\u2019s now-thriving craft beer industry. She talks about how the region\\u2019s sometimes limited access to resources, coupled with her community\\u2019s willingness to share everything, has led to a tight-knit bond not seen in many other places in beer. We, of course, discuss how the United States\\u2014and San Diego specifically\\u2014have influenced the Baja beer scene, but also how its ability to accept that influence without compromising authenticity has led to amazing results. Laura also pushes back against misconceptions about Mexico in general, and invites listeners to experience the best of Mexicali without fear, with plenty of recommendations for the city\\u2019s ridiculously underrated food and drink scene.