Forbes.com reported that Harlem Hops (the Black-owned and operated beer venue on ACP) has now opened its second location in a new food court – Market 57 at Pier 57 – in Chelsea.
Kim Harris (a Harlem Hops co-owner) noted that years ago many Black people drank beer, but “we were inundated by malt liquor in the 1990s. Once we got the idea of drinking malt liquor, we stopped drinking beer,” and lost out on the burgeoning craft beer trend.
Harris described Harlem Hops as a “craft beer bar,” though she notes that it also sells wine at its new Chelsea location and cocktails in Harlem. Being located in Harlem is the perfect place because “we get tourists from all over the world that hear about us and know we’re a one-stop shop for the most sought-after brews New York tristate has to offer,” she pointed out.
Besides offering 16 draft beers on its menu, including its 5-ounce tasters, it also collaborates with other breweries on developing its own roster of craft beers. For example, it just partnered with Alementary to develop Pier 57 Lager, an Imperial Lager.
And it has also collaborated with Tin Barn Brewing, to develop the aptly named, Harlem Queen, dedicated to Stephanie St. Clair, one of Harlem’s inaugural millionaires.
It also reaches out to African American craft breweries. During Black History Month, almost all of its Harlem taps were devoted to brewers of colors, and at most times, several Black-owned brews are represented.
Harris notes that Harlem Hops is aiming to reach
“the community demographic that has not traditionally been pursued by craft beer companies.”
Its Harlem location opens at 3 p.m. and therefore doesn’t serve lunch, but its Chelsea spot starts at 11 a.m. “In Harlem,” she said, “our patrons aren’t looking for beer much earlier during the week.” On the weekends, it opens earlier.
The Harlem Hopes Scholarships, a foundation created by Harlem Hops serves Harlem students who are headed to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). It seems fitting since the three owners graduated from HBCU’s, and the program offers scholarships and craft-brewing seminars and lessons to let students know that these business opportunities exist.
Learn more, here: https://harlemhops.com/
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