New Elk Grove hangout, Coatza Brewery, hosts its grand opening Saturday. Here’s what to expect

Enrique Silva started driving trucks at 18, a career that allowed him to visit every state in the country and even some cities in Canada.

While visiting various cities, Silva had the chance to venture out to many different bars, and by the time he reached his early 20s, he knew that one day he wanted to own one of his own.

Now, at age 44, Silva is manifesting the idea he’s had for two decades by opening a new brewery called Coatza Brewing, located at 9251 Elk Grove Blvd. in Elk Grove’s Old Town area.

Its grand opening is slated to take place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday.

“We are here to make amazing beer and create an amazing atmosphere, two big things required for any type of business like this,” Silva said. “I’m here to bring the fun entertainment that comes with the amazing product.”

The location was previously occupied by Hungry Pecker Brewing until Silva purchased the space earlier this year from the previous owner to add his own flavor, completely rebranding the interior design and overall makeup of the business.

Silva wanted to ensure his newly purchased space represented him in every way possible, so he made sure to include cultural depictions that tell a story about where he comes from.

For example, when you walk into the establishment and head towards the bar, there is a skeleton depiction of Emiliano Zapata, a leader of the Mexican Revolution, and Johnny Cash, an esteemed country singer and songwriter who is beloved in the Sacramento region.

“As far as tradition and community, I’ve got dead Emiliano Zapata there on the right and dead Johnny Cash right here, stringing the guitar. The reason I have him there is because we’re here in Elk Grove and country music is huge here, and I love it,” Silva said.

He added: “Both of these things are part of my background. So I’m putting everything in here that is part of my background, even though I’m a descendant from Mexico, (the U.S.) is my country and this is what I push very hard. So everything here is my vision, my design.”

Coatza, the name of the new Elk Grove brewery, derives from Coatzacoalcos, a major port city in Mexico that sits at the southern part of the state of Veracruz. It’s the city where Silva’s parents and grandparents were born.

“Like Sacramento, we say we’re from Sac. They’re from Coatzacoalcos, they say they’re from Coatza.”

Silva continues to invoke his heritage into the branding of his business. Approaching the bar, patrons can see Mayan hieroglyphic tiles which were molded and handcrafted by Silva’s son.

Upon designing the logo, Silva said, he decided to make an ode to his Aztec and Mayan ancestors.

“(It’s) very Mayan and Aztec,” Silva said. “The snake logo is because Coatzacoalcos means, ‘city of the snakes’ or, ‘where the snakes dwell.’ So I use the Mayan snake head for the logo.”

The grand opening for Coatza Brewing will be a full-blown celebration featuring live performances including Mexican folkloric dancers and grunge/alternative rock cover band Inverness95.

Coatza Brewing also offers food options from Mama’s Tacos, which is run by Silva’s mother, Conchita, who simply goes by “Mama.”

Mama started the food business in 2019, but like many businesses was halted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

She’s happy that her son took the initiative to purchase the space from Hungry Pecker. She admires her son’s entrepreneurial spirit, akin to her own.

She believes Mama’s Tacos will flourish, thanks to her son’s business.

“I feel very proud about my son. My son is one of the people I think is similar to me, a hard working boy and I always taught my kids about business,” Silva said. “The grand opening for me is like a grand opening for my life. It makes me feel so proud and happy and especially for my Mama’s Tacos business. I wish and I hope it’s going to be better for us.”

Mama’s daughter and Silva’s sister, Beatriz Connelly, has been helping out as a chef since 2021. She’s been primarily in charge of expanding the menu, among other tasks.

Food items available Saturday will include: street tacos, quesadillas, nachos, burritos, pozole, sliders and grilled cheese.

Connelly is excited and is expecting customers to pour in nonstop. On Saturday, she plans to provide a host of items on the menu that will prove to be a staple not only for Mama’s Tacos, but for Coatza Brewing.