Crowns & Hops Brewing Company has been selected as the winner of the 13th annual Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream Brewing & Business Experienceship.
The Black-, woman- and veteran-owned, Inglewood, California-based craft brewery will receive support and mentorship from Boston Beer Company leaders, including founder Jim Koch. Crowns & Hops will also have the opportunity to co-create a specialty beer with Boston Beer’s brewing team and receive a trip to the Great American Beer Festival in Denver.
Crowns & Hops was selected by a group of expert judges and by an audience vote during the Crafting Dreams Beer Bash in Boston last week. The company was among six finalists, including Back Unturned (Texas), Dokkaebier (California), Dublin Corners (New York), Khonso Brewing (Georgia) and Providence Brewing (Rhode Island).
In the announcement, Koch said Crowns & Hops is “a shining example” of “the immense talent” within the craft brewing industry.
“Their infectious energy, dedication, and passion for growth stood out to us,” Koch continued. “These qualities are vital to keeping the beating heart of the craft beer movement strong for many years to come. [Co-founders] Beny [Ashburn] and Teo [Hunter]’s commitment to furthering the innovation and inclusivity of craft beer demonstrates the spirit and drive that will continue to invigorate our industry.”
Ashburn called the achievement “a remarkable milestone” for the business.
“Teo and I are excited that this opportunity will not only enhance our ability for continued impact locally, but also propel us towards the broader footprint we’ve always envisioned,” she added. “As we go deeper down the path of community building, culture preservation and palate expansion through world-class beer, we are proud to have Samuel Adams in our corner.”
Ashburn and Hunter founded Crowns & Hops in 2016. They are familiar faces to Brewbound readers, as the brewery won the 2019 Brewbound Pitch Slam competition and was named a Brewbound Rising Star in 2023.
In 2023, Crowns & Hops produced 1,472 barrels of beer (-2% year-over-year), according to data from the Brewers Association (BA).
In April, Crowns & Hops formed a strategic alliance with Full Circle Brewing in Fresno and its sibling brands Speakeasy Ales and Lagers and Sonoma Cider, creating the Circle of Crowns Beverage Group (CCBG). CCBG is now the country’s largest Black-owned craft brewery by volume. Days after the CCBG announcement, Ashburn took the stage at the BA’s Craft Brewers Conference in Las Vegas to interview keynote speaker Fawn Weaver, founder of Uncle Nearest Distillery.
Full Circle Brewing owner Arthur Moye will discuss the creation of the platform at the 2024 Brewbound Live business conference December 11 and 12 in Marina del Rey, California.
Ashburn and Hunter, along with National Black Brewers Association executive director Kevin Asato, shared their respective visions and missions during the 2023 Brewbound Live business conference. Watch their talk here.