Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Domonic Nieves. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Domonic thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Divine Science Brewing is the first Southern California Brewery to produce 100% gluten free beers. With a growing population becoming gluten intolerant or celiac and beer being such a cultural staple, we are thriving as a new brewery. Brewing gluten free beer for people with little to no options has been our #1 goal. As two celiacs we understand the struggle one goes through when trying to enjoy a fun night out with friends. We all just want to fit in and having an allergy to gluten can really put a damper on your night. Gluten allergies affect people in many different ways from physical to mental ailments like brain fog and mood swings. Ordering a beer at the bar should be an easy task, and for most it is, it’s an affordable drink available almost anywhere you go. But not when you’re gluten free. So we are doing our best to spread the word that #1 gluten free beer exists and #2 you can ask for it at your local bar in CA and they should have an option for you like everyone else.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Robert and Domonic are husband and wife, two celiacs who learned about their diagnosis in their early twenties, We went from being able to live normal lives not worrying about where we go to eat with fiends, or what activities we choose to do at night, to now having to hyper plan locations or having a meal before going out for a meal. It becomes a huge intrusion in your life when you cant ingest gluten. The one thing we really missed was being able to go to a brewery with friends and trying craft beers. So we started homebrewing, Robert has become a leading source in the gluten free brewing community, writing books and leading keynote lectures about how to brew gluten free. His biggest mission is to help normalize gluten free beer! We all want to feel like the average customer, and sharing knowledge is the key. Domonic is VP of Sales, helping restaurants and stores broaden their understanding on gluten free beer and how they can gain a strong clientele base by carrying products geared towards their wellness.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

We are so thankful to have connected with a small community lender called Accessity. They were key in securing funding for opening the taproom. We were already wholesaling in major stores and had enough previous experience to receive a small loan. Trying to open a retail location during Covid was tough. Most banks were not lending and many had increased experience to 5 years, tightening who they were lending at the time. They were able to provide us with enough capital to expand our production needs and build out a small tasting room.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

We self distribute our beers across California in Bevmo and Total Wine. One of our main practices in fostering relationship with the buyers is calling to check how sales are going, sampling appointments in store for customers to try and regularly ensuring the freshest products are on the shelf. With these three features we keep strong relationships with the buyers and customers. When they get to meet us in store during sampling appointments we get the have the thrill of sharing personal stories about our journey with celiacs. It bonds us and further acknowledges how we all just want to be the average beer drinker. No fuss needed. Just good times and stories over the love of the ageless drink of beer.

Contact Info:

• Website: divinesciencebrewing.com
• Instagram: divinesciencebrewing
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/divinesciencebrewing/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/divine-science-brewing/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/divine-science-brewing-tustin?osq=divienscience+brewing

Image Credits
Photos of main logo, Husband and wife team Robert and Domonic. Main Divine Science logo. Photo of all Canned beers available at Bevmo And total wine in CA. Tap handles. Particle Haze poured into branded mug