On November 13th, all those who haven't already ventured south of the border to try Mexico’s craft beers, or those who just can't get enough of it north of the border, can get a taste of Baja's craft beer scene at the Mingei International Museum in Ballboa Park when it hosts the first annual Baja Beer Craft tasting event.

Chef Chad White of Común Kitchen & Tavern in San Diego and Chef Marco Rodriguez of La Justina in Tijuana will be pairing craft brews with their farm-to-table Baja-Med dishes. Just last week it was announced that Chef Chad White would be competing in the popular Bravo reality TV show "Top Chef", but he is already well-known locally for his love of Baja California and its cuisine.

The burgeoning craft beer scene in Baja California has been gaining in notoriety over the past few years, with many local labels winning international prizes. A small contingent of fiercely independent, entrepreneurial, and passionate Mexican beer makers from these border cities have started brewing beer that many connoisseurs consider on par with the best craft beers produced in San Diego and beyond. These innovative, playful and unique craft beers are landing on the menus of Baja California's most celebrated chefs, including Javier Plascencia, Miguel Angel Guerrero, Diego Hernández, Drew Deckman, and Chad White.

While Mexican craft beer only represents one percent of all beer sold in México, this grass-roots movement shows no sign of retreating.

The event is being hosted by Baja Test Kitchen , which is dedicated to the exploration of Baja California's emergent culinary movement. The event is part of its misson to curate and share the distinct flavors of Baja's cuisine and to inspire others to develop an appreciation of Baja California’s unique culinary culture.

Live entertainment will be provided by Quino of Big Mountain, and there will also be a Day of the Dead altar installation by Tijuana's Cultural Center (CECUT) on display paying homage to Gabriel García Márquez.

An after-party will take place at Chad White's Común Kitchen & Tavern in San Diego's Gas Lamp District from 9pm onward, where the normal cover charge will be covered by the Baja Beer Craft admission, or is open to the general public with payment of the cover charge.

The main event will take place at the Mingei International Museum on Friday, November 13th from 6-9pm. Sponsored by Discover Baja Travel Club, and presented by Baja Test Kitchen in partnership with Mingei International Museum. For more information, visit the event website[/url].