News Summary
Chicago’s Moor’s Brewing Company has been honored with Samuel Adams’ 2025 Brewing & Business Experienceship, showcasing their impactful contributions to the craft beer industry. Founded in 2021, the brewery is notable for opening Chicago’s first Black-owned taproom, Diversity House. Their recognition underscores their commitment to community engagement and representation in a predominantly white industry. As part of the award, Moor’s will receive mentorship from industry professionals and collaborate on a special beer release, continuing their mission of fostering inclusivity and connection within the craft beer sector.
Chicago – Moor’s Brewing Company, a Chicago-based craft brewery, has been awarded Samuel Adams’ 2025 Brewing & Business Experienceship, a recognition which celebrates innovative and impactful brewing businesses. The announcement was made on June 5 at the Crafting Dreams Beer Bash held in New York City.
The Brewing & Business Experienceship is part of Samuel Adams’ Brewing the American Dream philanthropic program, which supports entry into the brewing industry for aspiring entrepreneurs. The award signifies Moor’s Brewing’s notable contributions to the craft beer sector, particularly as a newer establishment founded in 2021 by Damon Patton, Jamhal Johnson, and Anthony Bell.
Moor’s Brewing has quickly made its mark by expanding its distribution into over 500 retailers nationwide since its inception. In February 2025, they made headlines by opening Chicago’s first Black-owned taproom, Diversity House. This initiative reflects the brewery’s commitment to representation in an industry where less than 1% of craft breweries are Black-owned.
Among their offerings, the brewery’s Kohlsch beer distinguished itself in the competition with its light-bodied and fruity profile. As part of the Brewing & Business Experienceship prize, Moor’s Brewing will receive exclusive mentorship from industry professionals at Samuel Adams and will collaborate on a special release beer to further enhance their business exposure.
The Brewing the American Dream program has had a significant social impact since its launch in 2008, supporting over 16,000 business owners and assisting in the creation or maintenance of more than 12,000 jobs. To date, the program has provided upwards of $114 million in loans to over 4,500 small food and beverage entrepreneurs.
Jim Koch, the founder of Samuel Adams, has a personal connection to the challenges of securing financial support for small businesses. Initially denied loans when he embarked on his brewing journey, Koch has committed to helping aspiring entrepreneurs thrive in the industry through the Brewing the American Dream initiative.
Moor’s Brewing aims to expand its retail footprint, targeting growth in the next five years. The founders are optimistic about their mission, which they believe can resonate widely with various communities, particularly underserved demographics.
In a notable feature of their branding, the founders expressed a desire to prominently feature a Black man on their beer cans, leading to the establishment of Moor’s Brewing. The brewery has future plans for a special beer series named after Patsy Young, a formerly enslaved woman who brewed beer in the early 1800s, further emphasizing their commitment to recognizing historical figures within the craft beer narrative.
Moor’s Brewing is also dedicated to community engagement, participating in initiatives that support local needs, including upcoming events like the Emancipation Ball which aims to raise funds for youth education. These efforts reflect the brewery’s deep-rooted values and the dedication of its founders to uplift their community while redefining representation in the craft beer industry.
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- Fox Business
- Wikipedia: Craft beer
- Craft Brewing Business
- Google Search: Moor’s Brewing Company news
- Chicago Business
- Google Scholar: Black-owned breweries
- Fox 32 Chicago
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Brewery
- ABC 7 Chicago
- Google News: craft beer movement
