What happens when Black people make craft beer? MAGIC. Enter Crowns and Hops.
Founded by Beny Ashburn & Teo Hunter, Crowns and Hops’s mission is to “create spaces that are community centric with underserved communities of color in mind, driving diversity, economic growth and influencing inclusion.”
They showcase Black history and culture, including their HBCU Hazy IPA, Urban Queen Imperial Stour, Miles Miles to Italy Italian Pilsner, and Royal Verses West Coast IPA. We used Crowns and Hops’s Island Anomaly, a toasted coconut stout with chocolate and coffee notes, to make a root beer-esque ‘beer-tail’ that has won a place on my summer cocktail roster.
Ingredients:
1 oz. Montenegro
1 oz. LS Cream liqueur (or Bailey’s, if unavailable)
1/2 oz. simple syrup
3 dashes Angostura bitters
1 egg white
2 oz. Crown and Hops’ Island Anomaly Stout
Root Beer, to top
Instructions:
Add all ingredients except the Island Anomaly Stout and root beer in a tin.
Dry shake until you can’t shake anymore!
Add ice to tin and shake again.
Strain over ice in a wine glass.
Fill the glass 3/4 full with the stout and then top with root beer.
Enjoy!