Montclair Brewery Releases New Beer As Tribute To Juneteenth

MONTCLAIR, NJ — In honor of Juneteenth, the Montclair Brewery has partnered with the Harlem Hops craft beer bar to release its first-ever beer dedicated to the holiday.

The new beer – “Jubilee” – is a tribute to the holiday, which celebrates the emancipation of those who had been enslaved in the United States. It’s available at the brewery’s taproom at 101 Walnut Street or in cans.

Montclair’s first microbrewery will also host a Juneteenth celebration, including performances on the brewery’s outdoor stage from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, June 19.

When people try the new beer, they’ll be tasting a West African native flower, the hibiscus, lead brewer and co-owner Leo Sawadogo said.

According to Sawadogo:

“Jubilee is a red wheat ale brewed with hibiscus flowers. Hibiscus flowers were selected for its symbolic significance. Hibiscus is native to West Africa and was brought to the Americas during the Atlantic slave trade.”

“As I learned more about this holiday, I wanted to add a piece of Africa to the recipe to remind everyone about the origin of the people who finally got their freedom,” Sawadogo said. “That's why I chose to use hibiscus, also known as bissap throughout many parts of Africa, including Burkina Faso where I was born and raised.”

• See related article: Montclair Brewery Uses Love Of Beer As Platform For Change

Denise Ford Sawadogo, the brewery’s general manager and co-owner, said that with the increased awareness of racial injustices – including the exclusion of many positive facets of Black lives in American history – she knew that there was a need to do something larger to celebrate the holiday.

“Like our Black History Month beer series, the launch of Jubilee and our all-day event allow us to raise awareness and educate others about our culture and history,” Sawadogo said.

“Harlem Hops is one of our most passionate business partners and friends in New York, and we are thrilled to partner with them and label artist Roosevelt ‘Black Rose’ Taylor on this special release for Harlem Hops’ three-year anniversary,” she added.

• See related article: Montclair Will Celebrate Juneteenth As Public Holiday
• See related article: In Montclair: Screenings Of 2 'Black Culture Classics' In June

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