The period of National Prohibition in the United States, enacted by the Eighteenth Amendment in 1920, fundamentally reshaped the American alcohol industry. While the ban on the production, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages impacted all sectors of the industry, its aftermath had a particularly devastating and lasting effect on Black participation in distilling, effectively erasing Black-owned operations for decades and widening existing racial disparities in economic opportunity.
A Pre-Prohibition Legacy: Black Contributions to American Distilling
Long before Prohibition, Black Americans played an indispensable, though often uncredited, role in the development of American spirits. Enslaved Africans brought with them extensive knowledge of grain cultivation and fermentation, which proved foundational to the distilling practices of the American South. Figures like Nathan “Nearest” Green, an enslaved master distiller, are now recognized for teaching modern distilling techniques, including the Lincoln County Process, to future industry titans like Jack Daniel in the 1850s. This highlights a broader truth: enslaved workers often operated stills, managed fermentation, and maintained barrel aging warehouses on plantations, their skills critical to the industry's growth.
Following emancipation, some African American distillers operated independently, particularly in agricultural communities where craft distilling was interwoven with farming. However, these small operations often faced significant legal barriers, targeted taxation, and post-Reconstruction economic disenfranchisement, which hindered their ability to grow and scale. Despite these challenges, a vibrant, albeit often informal, Black presence in the spirits trade existed prior to 1920, encompassing not only distillers but also saloon owners, bartenders, and merchants, serving a crucial economic and social function within Black communities. Black entrepreneurs and workers were actively involved in various aspects of the industry, contributing to its innovation and culture.
The Onset of Prohibition: A Disproportionate Impact
When the Volstead Act took effect in January 1920, outlawing the commercial production and sale of alcohol, it decimated thousands of legal distilleries across the country, many of which were small, family-owned operations. The impact on nascent or informally established Black-owned distilling enterprises was particularly severe. Without the financial resources or political connections of larger, white-owned businesses, Black distillers found it exceedingly difficult to navigate the new legal landscape, secure industrial alcohol permits (which were often reserved for larger corporations), or transition to alternative legal products. The economic reality of Prohibition meant that many Black entrepreneurs were simply forced out of the legal trade.
In response, many Black Americans, like others, turned to the illicit market. Bootlegging and operating speakeasies became a means of economic survival and, for some, even a pathway to wealth. These underground establishments, often dubbed “hooch joints,” became crucial cultural hubs, particularly for the burgeoning Jazz Age. Notable figures emerged from this era, such as Bertie “Birdie” Brown in Montana, who gained notoriety as a top moonshine maker. However, Black bootleggers and speakeasy owners faced additional dangers, including heightened scrutiny and discriminatory enforcement by law enforcement, often influenced by underlying racial prejudices that linked alcohol consumption by Black people to criminality and social threat. Prohibition effectively criminalized a segment of the Black economy that had historically involved distilling and selling spirits, pushing these activities further underground and associating them with illicit behavior.
The Long Silence: Post-Prohibition Barriers to Re-entry
The repeal of Prohibition in 1933 did not usher in an era of equal opportunity for Black distillers. Instead, the post-Prohibition landscape was characterized by a massive consolidation of the spirits industry and the implementation of stringent, often racially biased, licensing and regulatory structures. State and local liquor licensing boards, imbued with broad discretionary power, frequently perpetuated long-standing patterns of racial exclusion.
Black entrepreneurs faced immense hurdles in obtaining the necessary capital, permits, and distribution channels to establish legal distilleries. Systemic racism permeated lending practices, denying Black individuals the financial backing required for such a capital-intensive industry. Furthermore, discriminatory liquor licensing enforcement used racialized stereotypes—portraying Black people as dangerous under the influence or incapable of responsible consumption—to justify denials of licenses and restrict Black ownership and participation in alcohol-related commerce. This created a decades-long gap in prominent Black-owned legal distilleries, effectively erasing their participation from the mainstream industry for generations. African Americans were largely relegated to menial jobs within the reinstated legal distilleries, if they were hired at all, continuing a pattern of unacknowledged labor rather than ownership.
A Modern Renaissance: Reclaiming History and Building New Legacies
The early 21st century has witnessed a significant and inspiring resurgence of Black-owned distilleries and spirits brands in America, actively working to reclaim their rightful place in an industry they helped build. This modern revival is marked by a dual focus: honoring historical contributions and forging new paths. The renewed recognition of Nathan “Nearest” Green’s legacy, largely championed by entrepreneur Fawn Weaver, led to the creation of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey in 2017. The brand aims to commemorate Green’s pioneering work and has achieved significant recognition in the industry.
However, the journey for modern Black-owned brands is not without its challenges. As of April 10, 2026, Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey remains in receivership and declared insolvent amid a $100M+ lender lawsuit, with founders removed from controlling interest and approximately 38% of staff cut. A receiver report on that date reaffirmed insolvency, stating the company could cease operations within 30 days without lender support. For ongoing coverage, see Uncle Nearest Navigates Significant Legal Challenges.
Despite such difficulties, other pioneers are making strides. Chris Montana of Du Nord Social Spirits became the first Black-owned micro-distillery in the U.S. when he established his operation in Minneapolis in 2013. More recently, Brough Brothers Distillery became Kentucky's first Black-owned distillery in 2021, a significant milestone in the heart of bourbon country. The efforts of Jackie Summers, founder of Sorel Liqueur, who was, for a period, the only Black person in America with a license to make liquor, underscore the persistent barriers and the groundbreaking nature of these achievements. These new ventures, alongside others like Greenwood Whiskey and Fresh Bourbon Distilling Co., are not only producing acclaimed spirits but are also actively contributing to a more inclusive and representative future for the American spirits industry.
The current landscape reflects a growing awareness of historical injustices and a concerted effort to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion in the spirits world. Organizations and initiatives are working to support Black entrepreneurs, provide access to capital, and dismantle the systemic barriers that have historically prevented Black participation at the ownership level. While significant progress has been made, the journey to a truly equitable industry continues, building upon a legacy that Prohibition nearly extinguished.
Sources
- Google Search - Uncle Nearest insolvent
- The Spirits Business Is Stacked Against Black Owners — But That Can Change | VinePair
- Diversity in Spirits: Black Spirit Owners Look to the Past and the Future to Build Legacy Businesses - BevNET.com
- Booze, Bars, and Bias: Anti-Blackness in Liquor Licensing Enforcement - Law.Berkeley.edu