Is there such a thing as too many breweries? In New Mexico, the answer is a resounding “no!” Albuquerque Business First reports the state’s brewery and taproom count has more than tripled in the last six years. But even with so much competition, one company isn’t having trouble setting itself apart.

Bow & Arrow Brewing makes headlines as an industry outlier: it’s the only Native woman-owned brewery in the country. But owners Shyla Sheppard and Missy Begay don’t focus on the hype. They’re steadfast in their mission to create delicious brews and foster strong community.

“In addition to being a place for great beer, we didn’t want to overlook the opportunity to curate an authentic experience. Being a gathering place was really important to us,” Sheppard says. “You see that reflected in the layout: long communal tables, an open floor plan. We wanted to create an environment that’s conducive to interaction and community.”

The facility itself, a 10,000-square foot renovated warehouse, was honored with an Eagle Award from the NAIOP real estate association in 2016 for its contribution to the revitalization and beautification of the industrial Wells Park neighborhood. The location was strategic; Sheppard and Begay live just down the street on Mountain Road and considered this business a neighborhood investment.

The industry financials back up their decision. The New Mexico Tourism Department and the Albuquerque Economic Development Department have included “beer tourism” in their strategy to bring in new types of visitors to the city. The brewing industry brought in a reported $1.6 billion in economic output in 2016, and is only continuing to climb. According to the Beer Serves America impact study, there is a total 13,076 jobs connected to New Mexico’s beer sector, generating at total of $472,495,500 wages in 2017.