The American craft beer revolution is here. There are more than 5,000 American breweries, according to the Brewers Association. However, there is still a lack of diversity in the craft brewing industry, which has historically, consisted of mostly white males. This is even the case despite the fact that in 2016, African Americans made up 12 percent of weekly craft beer drinkers, according to the Yankelovich Monitor survey.
Here at Food Before Love we like to celebrate minority owned businesses because we know, that perception isn’t always reality. Despite the overwhelmingly white hospitality industry there are a number of black breweries breaking the mold. The three black breweries below are shaking up the industry. If you’re wondering how they navigate the brewing industry as minorities, what their most popular brews are, and how you can support their companies, read on.
Three Spirits Brewery, Charlotte, NC
5046 Old Pineville Rd, Charlotte, NC 28217
Owner: Tabu Terrell
With their most popular beer being “Southern Bliss,” Three Spirits Brewery is known for easy drinking beers across a variety of styles that are low in alcohol so that you can have a few and still be ok. Their laid back atmosphere, friendly staff, and diverse crowd are what keep people coming back.
Owner, Tabu Terrell, says navigating the industry as a black person is “…really no different than any other industry where we are the minority. You just have to show people that you belong by doing your job better than expected.”
Harlem Blue Beer, Harlem, NY
Owner: Julian Riley
Harlem Blue Beer is known for its blue light—an iconography that pays homage to an entertaining Harlem speakeasy owner and home brewer who was so proud of his beer, that he let the whole neighborhood know immediately when it was ready. What makes them special is that they are authentically committed to celebrating the hustlers, grinders and dreamers in Harlem so customers are sure to get a huge dose of Harlem in the atmosphere. Their most popular beer is a split between 1658 American Wheat Ale and Hectic IPA.
Owner Julian Riley says being in a mostly white brewery industry is no different than any other industry. “All these industries out here are mostly white: law, medical, hospitality, sports, music, banking, movie industry. I navigate by being true to myself and devoted to the foundation of that same self-awareness,” he says. “Moreover, Harlem is globally recognized as the Mecca of American Black culture. We don’t shy away from either of these facts and we celebrate everyday with a fresh pint or two in hand.”
A new brewery will be announced late this summer on social media, according to Julian.
Harlem Brewing Company of Harlem, NY
Find it at your local brewing company or order online.
Owner: Celeste Beatty
Celeste Beatty, owner of Harlem Brewing is proving that women can hold their own in the brewing industry too. Harlem Brewing Company has been featured in Forbes, People, MSNBC, and Ebony. The company is known for making delicious beers that celebrate the spirit and culture of Harlem. That deep celebration of Harlem and its rich history is vividly painted in their flavorful beers. “Harlem Renaissance Wit”—a wheat beer with orange peel and layers of other spicy flavors—is their most popular beer. Celeste’s next step is opening apprenticeship programs so more black breweries can infiltrate the industry.
“It’s been an amazing journey in a lot of ways. I’ve gotten a tremendous amount of support from the African diaspora community and the craft brewing community, but it hasn’t been without its challenges,” Beatty says of her time in the industry. “One of the biggest challenges is that, we’ve had to explain over and over again why we brew. I spent some time in Africa with women who make beer. They’ve been making beer there for thousands of years. When we were brought here, those traditions were still inside of us. One of the things that gets lost is that black people don’t brew, but it’s actually a part of our traditions.”
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