Black Frog Brewery started as a humble garage project in 2014. Inspired by Toledo’s nickname “Frog Town,” Christopher Harris, a Toledo native and a father, husband, and veteran, said he combined his love for his hometown with his craft, opening his business’s first location in Holland, Ohio, in 2016.
Nearly a decade later, Harris, his wife and children, have brought their beer’s bold flavors and innovative ideas to Cleveland, OH. On May 9, Harris and his family organized a grand opening for what is now the city’s first Black-owned brewery located in the Midtown Collaboration Center on East 66th St, News 5 reported.
“It’s because of the neighborhood is why I’m here,” said Harris when asked why he brought his business to Cleveland. “From my understanding, there really isn’t much in this Midtown area. So, for this space to be anchored here in Midtown and to supply these resources to this community was just really most important to me.”
“As Cleveland’s first Black-owned brewery, our new taproom represents not only growth but a chance to inspire others in the industry,” the brewery says on its website.
There are only about 120 Black-owned breweries in the U.S. Even though this represents an incredibly small portion of the total number of breweries, the National Black Brewers Association has said that Black-owned breweries are growing.
Black Frog Brewery, hoping to make a difference in the industry, currently provides five different beers crafted in-house: Amphibian (Pale Ale); Flying Frog (India Pale Ales); Cream of the Frog (Cream Ale); Ebony Prince (Milk Stout); and Froglicious (Honey Brown Porter), per its website. There are also specific brews for its summer, spring, fall, and winter seasons, with brews paying homage to legends in the Hip Hop community such as Kolsch Watermelon, which honors Left Eye, and Kolsch Raspberry, which shows respect to Aaliyah.
“Our Hip Hop Beer Series, where we raise a glass to hip hop legends! Each brew is crafted with inspiration from our brewmasters’ favorite artists, blending unique flavors that celebrate the spirit of the genre. Cheers to great beer and legendary vibes,” the brewery says on its website.
