Two Locals Brewing Company holds a significant place in the American craft beer landscape as Philadelphia’s first Black-owned brewery, founded by brothers Richard Hamilton and Mengistu Koilor. Their journey from backyard hobbyists to opening a landmark brewery reflects a broader movement to increase diversity and representation within the brewing industry and foster community engagement in their native West Philadelphia. The company officially opened its permanent taproom in early 2024, marking a pivotal moment for both the founders and the city’s evolving beer culture.
The roots of Two Locals Brewing Company trace back to December 2016 when Richard Hamilton purchased a one-gallon homebrewing kit. This initial foray into brewing, starting with an English Red Ale, quickly evolved into a shared passion between the brothers, who began brewing together in Mengistu Koilor’s backyard and later Richard’s kitchen. Their enthusiasm for craft beer grew as they honed their skills, experimenting with various recipes and sharing their creations with friends and family at local events.
As Richard and Mengistu delved deeper into the brewing world, they recognized a stark lack of Black representation within the industry. This observation became a powerful catalyst, transforming their hobby into a mission to establish Philadelphia’s first Black-owned brewery and inspire others in their community to explore opportunities in brewing. In 2018, they formalized their entrepreneurial aspirations by incorporating Two Locals Brewing Company as an LLC. By 2019, they were operating as a nomadic brewery, utilizing the facilities of other local breweries, such as Mainstay Independent Brewing in Northern Liberties, to produce their beers and expand their reach through pop-ups and special events.
A notable milestone in their early years came in 2020 when Two Locals Brewing Company collaborated with Harris Family Brewery and Double Eagle Malting on the “Black is Beautiful” initiative. Brewed at Love City Brewing, this project raised over $9,000 to support Black Lives Matter, demonstrating their commitment to social justice and community upliftment. This collaboration underscored their vision not just to create beer, but to leverage their platform for meaningful impact, a principle that resonates deeply with the broader Black-Owned Craft Beer Movement in the United States.
In March 2021, Two Locals Brewing Company officially launched its first commercial beer releases, partnering with FCM Hospitality and Mainstay Independent Brewing. The initial offerings included Nubian Brown Ale, Prolific Hazy IPA, and Who You Wit? Belgian-style Witbier, which quickly became available in cans and kegs across the Philadelphia market. The Nubian Brown Ale, a fan favorite and an award-winning homebrew recipe, was specifically named to represent their culture and features a complex malt base with notes of fresh baked bread, roasted nuts, and coffee.
The brothers’ long-term vision materialized with the development of their flagship brewery and taproom in University City. After signing on in late 2022 to build their space at uCity Square, the brewery officially opened its doors on January 31, 2024, at 3675 Market Street. The location, situated in a vibrant biotech hub, was designed by Strada LLC to be a welcoming community hub, featuring an industrial-chic aesthetic with warm, earthy tones and local art celebrating their West Philly roots. The facility boasts a 15-barrel brewing system with 30-barrel fermenters, occupying over 2,000 square feet for brewing operations and a 1,300 square-foot taproom with seating for approximately 80 guests indoors and additional outdoor seating.
The cultural identities of Richard and Mengistu are deeply woven into the fabric of Two Locals Brewing Company. Mengistu, born in Liberia, immigrated to Philadelphia at age seven, while Richard was born and raised in the city; both grew up in West Philadelphia’s Cedar Park section. This heritage influences their beer names, such as Lofa Lager, named after Lofa County, Liberia, their father’s birthplace. The taproom’s food menu, a collaboration with Liberty Kitchen, reflects this cultural blend, offering not only hoagies and snackable dishes but also Liberian family recipes like Peanut Braised Eggplant and Liberian Beans, alongside Caribbean-influenced items like Jerk Chicken Salad.
Two Locals Brewing Company offers a diverse array of beers beyond their initial releases, including Good Jawn Pale Ale, Clean Sweep German Pils, Gaspar Mexican Dark Lager, Hemings Imperial Stout brewed with Win Win Coffee Cold Brew, and various hazy IPAs like School Haze. They aim to offer a rotating selection of lagers, IPAs, culinary stouts, and fruited/tart ales, with flavors that often subtly incorporate elements representing their cultural background. The company also engages in collaborations with other breweries, such as Wissahickon Brewing for “If These Walls Could Talk” hazy IPA, and previously with Attic Brewing Company and Trace Brewing, fostering a collaborative spirit within the Pennsylvania craft beer scene.
The establishment of Two Locals Brewing Company addresses a significant disparity in the craft beer industry, which has historically been predominantly white-male-dominated. Despite Philadelphia’s substantial Black population (43.6% according to the U.S. Census Bureau), the city lacked a Black-owned brewery until their opening. Richard Koilor articulated their goal: “We want to show our community that there is a space for us in the beer industry.” Their mission extends beyond brewing excellent beer; it is about creating opportunities, providing representation, and building an inclusive community hub, contributing to the growing recognition of Black-owned beverage brands in America.
Sources
- Brothers make history with Two Locals Brewery, Philadelphia's first black-owned brewery
- Philadelphia's First Black-Owned Brewery Two Locals Brewing Is Now Open
- Meet the Makers: Two Locals Brewing
Related Wiki Slugs
- The Black-Owned Craft Beer Movement in the United States
- National Black Brewers Association
- Jon Renthrope and Cajun Fire Brewing Company
- Beny Ashburn and Teo Hunter: Co-Founders of Crowns & Hops Brewing Co. and the 8 Trill Pils Initiative
- Marcus Baskerville, Weathered Souls Brewing Co., and the 'Black is Beautiful' Initiative