Our Story
Co-founded by California natives and U.C. Berkeley graduates Craig Bowers and Samuel Chawinga, South Los Angeles Beverage Company’s mission is to give back to the community it serves. Please see founders biographies below:
Craig Bowers, Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer
A community advocate and highly skilled marketing executive, Craig Bowers has successfully produced programmatic events on behalf of W Hotels, Kiehl’s Since 1851, and Bloomingdale’s, in addition to managing his own portfolio of first-party live event brands targeting niche audiences. Born and raised in Los Angeles to parents that were born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, Bowers is a seasoned expert in marketing and event production. Following stints at Morgan Stanley, The Walt Disney Company, Key3Media, Voce, and HBO, Bowers launched his own event marketing company, Niche Curate. He is a certified festival producer by the City of Los Angeles and a voting member of The Recording Academy (Grammys). Bowers has previously served vice-chair on the board of APLA Health, as a board member of LA Pride organizer Christopher Street West and the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. He resides in the City of Los Angeles.
Samuel Chawinga, Co-Founder, Chief Beverage Officer
Professional brewer and bona fide beverage enthusiast Samuel Chawinga transformed the South Los Angeles Brewing Company into the preeminent craft beverage incubator, production, and packaging facility in South Central. Born in Malawi to an American mother and an African father who met in Los Angeles, Chawinga’s love of craft beer ignited during a UC Davis course on alcohol production at E. & J. Gallo Winery. Chawinga went on to earn his bachelor’s degree at UC Berkeley, where he brewed professionally as an upperclassman, and upon graduating, started his career as a brewer at TK in Portland, Oregon. Chawinga moved to Los Angeles in 2016 to open the successful, Boomtown Brewery, located in DTLA’s Arts District. As the founder and creator, he scouted the location, secured funding, and oversaw the full-scale operation. His devout interest in beer concept, design, and execution and deep appreciation for the people of Los Angeles drives the ethos of South Los Angeles Brewing Company. He resides in the City of Los Angeles.
Craig Bowers, Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer
A community advocate and highly skilled marketing executive, Craig Bowers has successfully produced programmatic events on behalf of W Hotels, Kiehl’s Since 1851, and Bloomingdale’s, in addition to managing his own portfolio of first-party live event brands targeting niche audiences. Born and raised in Los Angeles to parents that were born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, Bowers is a seasoned expert in marketing and event production. Following stints at Morgan Stanley, The Walt Disney Company, Key3Media, Voce, and HBO, Bowers launched his own event marketing company, Niche Curate. He is a certified festival producer by the City of Los Angeles and a voting member of The Recording Academy (Grammys). Bowers has previously served vice-chair on the board of APLA Health, as a board member of LA Pride organizer Christopher Street West and the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. He resides in the City of Los Angeles.
Samuel Chawinga, Co-Founder, Chief Beverage Officer
Professional brewer and bona fide beverage enthusiast Samuel Chawinga transformed the South Los Angeles Brewing Company into the preeminent craft beverage incubator, production, and packaging facility in South Central. Born in Malawi to an American mother and an African father who met in Los Angeles, Chawinga’s love of craft beer ignited during a UC Davis course on alcohol production at E. & J. Gallo Winery. Chawinga went on to earn his bachelor’s degree at UC Berkeley, where he brewed professionally as an upperclassman, and upon graduating, started his career as a brewer at TK in Portland, Oregon. Chawinga moved to Los Angeles in 2016 to open the successful, Boomtown Brewery, located in DTLA’s Arts District. As the founder and creator, he scouted the location, secured funding, and oversaw the full-scale operation. His devout interest in beer concept, design, and execution and deep appreciation for the people of Los Angeles drives the ethos of South Los Angeles Brewing Company. He resides in the City of Los Angeles.