5 Rabbit Cervecería
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Craft brewery |
| Founded | 2011 |
| Founder | Andrés Araya, Isaac Showaki |
| Headquarters | Bedford Park , United States |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Andrés Araya (co-owner), Mila Ramirez (co-owner), Randy Mosher (creative director) |
| Products | Craft beers including 5 Rabbit Golden Ale, 5 Vulture, 5 Lizard, 5 Grass, Vida y Muerte, Huitzi, Paletas |
5 Rabbit Cervecería was a craft brewery located in Bedford Park, Illinois, established in 2011 and commencing operations in 2012. It distinguished itself as the first Latin-inspired craft brewery in the United States, blending Hispanic cultural elements and culinary influences into its beer offerings. The brewery’s lineup included brews crafted with ingredients such as passion fruit, fresh lime zest, raw cane sugar, and assorted chiles, emphasizing its distinctive market niche. Signature beers comprised 5 Lizard and 5 Vulture, along with a Mexican chocolate ale featuring cacao and arroz con leche. The name of the company draws from the Aztec god Macuiltochtli, underscoring its cultural identity. This unique business approach catered to a specialized audience interested in culturally infused craft beers within the competitive American brewing landscape.
History
Founded in 2011 by entrepreneurs Andrés Araya and Isaac Showaki, with Randy Mosher as a minority stakeholder and recipe developer, 5 Rabbit Cervecería initially produced beer through contract brewing at Argus Brewery. The brewery launched its own facility in Bedford Park, Illinois, in 2012. Showaki exited the company in 2013 and subsequently established Octopi Brewing in Wisconsin. In 2014, the brewery expanded by opening an on-site taproom. Mila Ramirez, Araya’s spouse, co-owns the operation and assists with management duties, while Mosher fulfills the role of creative director.
Beers
The brewery’s portfolio encompasses a variety of beers including core year-round selections, seasonal releases, and limited editions. Among their innovative brews is one incorporating chapulines (grasshoppers), reflecting their focus on niche market innovation. Key offerings include:
| Name | Style | ABV % | IBU | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Rabbit | Golden ale | 5.3 | 32 | Available year-round |
| 5 Vulture | Oaxacan-style dark ale | 6.4 | 35 | Available year-round |
| 5 Lizard | Latin-style witbier | 4.3 | 20 | Available year-round |
| 5 Grass | Hoppy ale | 6.4 | 60 | Available year-round |
| Vida y Muerte | Harvest ale | 6.3 | 24 | Seasonal (Fall) |
| Huitzi | Midwinter ale | 8.5 | 22 | Seasonal (Winter) |
| Paletas (various fruit versions) | Fruit beer | 3.5 | Seasonal (Summer) |
This assortment supports the company’s expansion by appealing to varied tastes within the craft beer consumer base.
Chinga Tu Pelo beer
In June 2015, following controversial remarks made by Donald Trump about Mexican immigrants, 5 Rabbit Cervecería terminated its business relationship with him. The brewery halted shipments of a specially crafted beer to a bar located in Trump Tower Chicago and renamed the beer Chinga Tu Pelo (translated as "Fuck Your Hair"), a direct reference to Trump's hair. Shortly thereafter, Gino's East acquired that batch and donated the proceeds to the Latino Cultural Center. Occasionally, the brewery produces this recipe again under the name La Protesta, a golden ale packaged in cans featuring artwork by local artists. The events were documented in a 2019 short film titled F*** Your Hair, which highlights the brewery’s strategic positioning and impact as a Latino-owned business taking a principled stance.