Montclair Brewery, Allagash mark Black History Month with collaborative lager

As part of an ongoing push to increase racial equity in the craft beer industry, Montclair Brewery is teaming up with Allagash Brewing Co., again, to re-release a collaborative beer.

After Verb, a lager brewed with lemon verbena, hits the shelves in February at the start of Black History Month, a portion of proceeds from sales will go to the 8 Trill Initiative.

The fund is dedicated to generating opportunities for Black-owned craft beer brands while demonstrating the benefits and fiscal impact of racial equity.

The beer will be brewed and packaged at Allagash’s headquarters in Portland, Maine, and have a much wider distribution footprint than when it was introduced last year.

After debuting in August 2023 at the annual Barrel & Flow Fest – the country’s first Black arts and craft beer festival – the saison was available at Montclair Brewery’s taproom. It also had limited distribution in New Jersey and New York.

The second version, a lager, will feature a label with artwork by acclaimed artist Carl Joe Williams. It releases in Allagash’s Portland tasting room Feb. 1 and in New Jersey shortly after.

Rob Tod, founder of B Corp-certified Allagash, described the collaboration with Montclair Brewery – an award-winning Black-owned microbrewery – as one of the highlights of the last year.

“We’re so glad to be able to come back together in 2024, re-release these beers in a big way and continue to use beer as a force for good,” he said, adding that he’s worked with Montclair Brewery at previous Barrel & Flow Festivals.

Paying it forward

For Montclair Brewery, the upcoming release continues its annual tradition of honoring Black History Month with signature beers.

After four years of hearings and inspections, Montclair Brewery opened in 2018, becoming the state’s first fully Black-owned brewery. Run by husband-and-wife team Denise Ford Sawadogo and Leopold Sawadogo, the brewery is known for featuring local-inspired and culturally intriguing beers, as well as supporting social justice efforts.

Montclair Brewery is also a past recipient of an 8 Trill Pils Grant supporting Black-owned craft beer businesses.

Denise Ford Sawadogo said the grant was “a game changer for our business” and that it’s “invigorating now to take a part in ensuring that the mission continues with the great support of Allagash and the Verb collaboration.”

She is also on the board of the National Black Brewers Association, an organization dedicated to promoting Black representation in the brewing community and increasing diversity at all levels, including ownership and brewmaster roles.

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