Inglewood business honored on Black Brewers Day in LA County

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (KABC) -- October 10 is officially Black Brewers Day in Los Angeles County.

Supervisor Holly Mitchell helped with a commemoration focusing on what will be one of the county's first Black-owned tap rooms, Crowns and Hops Brewing Co. in Inglewood.

Since the 1970s, Black Brewers Day has been recognized across the country. It's a day celebrating Black beer brewers and their contributions to American history.

"What a lot of people don't know is that Inglewood was already great. We have this saying that we preserve culture, we build community and we expand palates," said Teo Hunter, co-founder of Crowns and Hops Brewing Co.

"The county has stepped up in a meaningful way and profound way to declare it Black Brewers Day but to also put your money where our shared commitment lies in our small businesses in our community," said Mitchell.

Hunter says the dream of opening a tap room in the community has been a dream that started seven years ago. One of the reasons why: He says he saw a lack of diversity of Black-owned businesses in the L.A. brewery industry. The new business is paying homage to those who came before them.

"Black Brewers Day is the moment where Ted Mack out of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was the first Black owned brewery owner in 1970," said Hunter.

"I think it means more exposure to Black community and everything that we're trying to do for each other and uplift each other. Our mission: bridging culture," said Talia Hunter, the co-founder's daughter.

While Crowns and Hops Brewing Co. craft beers are available on retail shelves, they hope to serve it at its tap room and beer garden near Crenshaw and Manchester. Beny Ashburn is another co-founder.

"It's the community, it's the people, it's the energy, it's the family," said Ashburn. "It's the space that we have been missing in the city of L.A .for a long time."

The Crowns and Hops Brewing Co. tap room is set to open its doors late 2024.