Urban Garden Brewing is only the third Black-owned beer company in D.C.
Eamoni Collier started her business, Urban Garden Brewing, in 2021 and became the first Black woman-owned beer brand and distribution company based in D.C. As of 2021, less than 1% of breweries in the country are Black woman-owned, according to the Brewer’s Association 2021 survey on diversity.
The lack of inclusion and representation of women-led, POC-led, and LGTBQIAA-led craft breweries is a noticeable gap, but it’s one being steadily filled.
Out of the three Black-owned beer companies in D.C., none of them owned or operated their own brewery, but Eamoni Collier is on her way to changing that. As a district native, Collier is proud to join the ranks of Black-owned beer companies in her hometown. Collier and her business partner, Lindsay Castillo, have their sights set on a space located in the northeast part of D.C. near the Fort Totten Metro.
Urban Garden Brewing is a contract brewer since it currently doesn’t have its own production facility. In an interview with the DCist, Collier said, “There is literally no Black-owned breweries… three of these brewing companies all have to contract brew because we don’t have access to capital.” Collier and Castillo have been relying on crowdfunding for startup costs like licensing, permitting, and legal fees. Their current goal is to raise $50,000 for UGB.
Eamoni Collier is a member of The Collective, a group of Black craft beer enthusiasts and brewers who provide support for one another’s endeavors in the industry. For Black brewers, there are substantial financial barriers to gatekeeping space for Black business owners. Groups like The Collective and the Black Brew Movement, a D.C.-based organization formed in 2018 that bridges the gap between Washington’s Black population and craft beer, exist to spread awareness and support.
Once Urban Garden Brewing officially gets its first production facility, the company will continue to brew its flagship beer brand, Chamolite, a blonde ale made with chamomile and honey. There’s also “Roses Aren’t Dead,” a pale ale made with dried red rose petals. Colliers prefers to use herbs, spices, and fruit in her beers. The recipes are inspired by the ancient practices of Egyptian women, who historically believed beer to have powerful healing properties.
Urban Garden Brewing beers are currently available in over 40 bars, restaurants, and specialty liquor stores throughout DC.
