Clarence Boston is building an empire in Georgia, and keeping the door open behind him.
The scene atHippin ’ Hops — Georgia ’s first Black - possess , brick - and - mortar brewery — wait a muckle like a family prepping for a barbeque .
An eclectic intermixture of ’ eighty rock , ’ 90s rose hip - hop , and classic individual toy over the speakers in East Atlanta Village . Co - possessor Clarence Boston is check up on on the boiling point of one his tardy brewage in the back , general handler Jermaine “ Sweets ” Abdullah is shuck fresh oysters , pass brewer Kevin Blodger is perfecting the carbonation of all the strike , executive chef Derricia Snow is prepping for her renowned lobster roster , and a triad of server are setting up the dining area and beer garden .
This has been the vibe since the brewery first opened in April 2021 , draw in one of the most racially diverse customer cornerstone inGeorgia ’s cap city . That same gang also patronizes the second Hippin ’ Hops , which opened this past spring in the neighboring town of East Lake . The third and largest positioning — house a 15 - cask brewhouse with 30 - barrel fermenters — is two months from opening in Stone Mountain , a suburb 30 second alfresco of Atlanta .
Clarence and Donnica Boston of Hippin’ Hops.|Photo by Ari Skin for Thrillist
With all this development , it ’s clear that Boston and his married woman and Centennial State - founder , Donnica , have proudly take the reins , trailblazing Black entrepreneurship in Georgia ’s brewing scene and setting the tone for the industriousness across the nation . And it ’s only the beginning .
Originally from Reidsville , North Carolina , Boston ab initio created fiscal success as a mortician and cobalt - owner of funeral homes . He also open up two restaurants and a cigar bar in the Charlotte area . Although all his job were remunerative , there were still more breathing in in other industry that needed to be addressed .
“ My grandmother used to make her own wine-colored and that was truly an inspiration , ” Boston says . “ But I have always been a beer guy , so I decided to play around in homebrewing back when I was 22 . It became a hobby for more than 15 year until I decided to get serious and open my own brewery in Charlotte . ”
The East Lake location of Hippin’ Hops.|Photo by Ari Skin for Thrillist
In 2018 , Boston and Donnica comprise Hippin ’ Hops Brewery in the state of North Carolina , but the foiling of finding the perfect placement for the conception direct to looking elsewhere . They consider one of their favorite urban center : Atlanta .
“ I always loved the eclectic , bohemian vibe of East Atlanta Village , ” Boston says . “ And then there it was , our vision for the size and placement of the first Hippin ’ Hops was across the street from where I would regularly take hold of a bite in the locality . It made even more sense when I found out Georgia never had a Black - own , brick - and - trench mortar brewery . I was completely shocked . It was truly a sign and I saw the green Christ Within . ”
award , there were other Black brewing companies in townsfolk , includingDown household , which has been distributing beer via declaration brewing since 2010 . More recently , Grammy - nominated hip-hop group Nappy Roots opened the door ofAtlantucky Brewingin February 2022 .
Beers in the Hippin’ Hops portfolio.|Photo by Ari Skin for Thrillist
“ More and more Black beer maker have see what we have done and utilize it as momentum to push forward with make their own foxiness brewery nationally , ” Boston says . “ When we got in the biz , we earnestly consider there were a mass more . That ’s not the case and it ’s time to commute that . ”
The numbers from theBrewers Associationare still alarming , reporting thatBlack - owned breweriesonly account statement for under one pct of all craftiness breweries throughout the U.S. In gain to want of vulnerability , ware placement , and previous piece of work experience provided to Black communities , Boston plainly tell , “ it ’s basically the lack of financial support and resources . ”
Luckily for the Bostons , their achiever in the funeral business — plus have two real land skill company and three restaurants in Charlotte — helped propel them over these major obstacles and realize their goal of possession in the brewing world .
The brewery is also moving into the spirits world.|Photo by Ari Skin for Thrillist
presently , the brewery ’s Baby Mama Drama tropic IPA , I Got The Keys key lime pale ale , and So Peachy peach cobbler sour successfully lead the beer portfolio . The company has also been strategical — releasing two knockout seltzers , bugger off into the distilling biz , and spearheading beer collaborations with other smutty brewery and burgeon modus vivendi brandDraught Season .
Plus , they decided that food would not take a background part , with Snow swear out as executive chef at all three locations . The East Village spot features New Orleans - themed seafood including fresh oyster , po’boys and gator bites . The 2d in East Lake offers high-minded pub grub like cheesesteaks , fried fish , and gouda mac and cheese . The third and largest locating free-base in Stone Mountain , which ironically is a former funeral home , is slated to open its doors to an 11,000 - square - metrical unit property this August and sport a carte du jour of psyche solid food .
“ There are a lot of minority businesses open soon virtually on the same street as our third Hippin ’ Hops , ” Boston says . “ We want to be a major part of that movement and resurgence . ”
And if build three emplacement within two years accompanied by the numerous other business venture was n’t enough , Boston gave the unattackable impression that he ’s just getting started . The sprightliness industry needs more internal representation from people who look like him , so that ’s next on his agendum in a major fashion .
“ My plan for the time to come is to become a national mordant beer and John Barleycorn mark sell in all 50 province with a sight of acknowledgment for my efforts coming along with the journey , ” he enjoin . “ That elbow room , my people see it can be done . ”
stay reliable to his word , Boston fly to France and Mexico to set down deals with a cognac and tequila still , severally , which include signification permit to legalise sales event of what he bring about overseas in the U.S. The answer from his expedition boast a quint of Hip Hop Distillery bottled spirit he is currently sell in North Carolina . With so much quick winner in his home plate DoS , the next phase will be sell his spirits in Georgia and beyond .
But for now , Boston has to open up his brewery in East Atlanta Village for the day . As shortly as the neon “ undefendable ” sign flickers on , he pulls the tap handle of this Modern creation in a dry pint glass , the Space Program IPA , coronate with a perfect head . He takes a sip and open a quarter round up , just as Mike Potter — possessor of theBlack Brew Culturelifestyle brand andProximity Brewing — walks in . The two of them chat about plans for the planetary beer festivalBlacktoberfest , which will take place at the Stone Mountain location this October .
“ This will be the first Black beer festival in the history of the city , ” Boston proclaims . “ But , of course , everyone is welcome . ”
