SAN DIEGO, CA . – San Diego Brewers Guild, a nonprofit 501(c)(6) organization that promotes local small businesses and entrepreneurs of craft beer, has appointed its 2025 Board of Directors and determined event dates for the calendar year. Kilowatt Brewing Community Relations Director Esthela Davila is the new President, and the 17th Annual San Diego Beer Week will take place November 7-16. Brewers Guild Executive Director Erik Fowler made the announcement.
The 2025 Board of Directors:
President – Esthela Davila, Kilowatt Brewing
Vice President – Jeff Lozano, Ballast Point Brewing
Secretary – Neva Parker, White Labs Brewing Co.
Director – Diane Hilz, The Roadies Brewing Co.
Director – Matthew Holden, holden consulting group
Director – Aidan Kennedy, Coronado Brewing Co.
Director – Aaron Long, Mission Brewing
Historian – David Moore (non-voting)
Treasurer – Bryan Carpenter, LevitZacks (non-voting)
Kilowatt’s Davila becomes President after serving as Vice President in 2024 as a first-time board member. The Barrio Logan native has worked in the craft beer industry since 2014, initially producing beer festivals and events with Push Pins Media. She spent time with Border X Brewing from 2020-22, and she helped open Mujeres Brew House in 2021 as San Diego’s first brewery entirely run by women.
“It is difficult to think of too many people who are more dedicated to, and more passionate about, San Diego’s craft beer scene,” Fowler said. “Esthela’s commitment to promoting women in craft beer, especially Latinas, is a tremendous bonus. She has been a leader for a long time, and this new role suits her well to say the least.”
Davila also hosted The Indie Beer Show podcast from 2018-23, serving as the first female host of the show. The Normal Heights resident joined Kilowatt in 2022 as Assistant General Manager after her time with Border X. She is a graduate of Point Loma High School, and she went on to study child development at San Diego City College.
“The San Diego craft beer scene has certainly faced its challenges recently with brewery closures,” Davila said. “But Erik, my fellow board members, and I are all going full steam ahead to help maintain San Diego as The Capital of Craft. We are look forward to more flourishing times for our independent craft breweries.”
San Diego beer events in 2025 include the Seventh Annual Pucks & Pints charity hockey game (March 29), Fourth Annual SD Beer Weekend (June 27-29), Fourth Annual San Diego Craft Beer Con (August TBD), and 17th Annual San Diego Beer Week (November 7-16). Individual brewery events for throughout the year are posted on the Brewers Guild’s calendar.
The Brewers Guild also sponsors a Tap Into Knowledge educational series throughout the year, and the first event is Saturday, January 25 at Mcilhenney Brewing Company in Alpine with a topic of ‘Harnessing Hops’. While the event is primarily for professional brewers, anyone interested in learning about hops is welcome to attend. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased here. This Tap Into Knowledge runs from 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon.
San Diego County is known as The Capital of Craft™, a moniker that was trademarked in 2015. The Brewers Guild was founded in 1997 with 15 breweries. Fowler was named the Guild’s Executive Director in October 2023. He is a Certified Cicerone®, a certification for skilled beer professionals that is often referred to as the equivalent for sommeliers of wine.
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