Black Frog Brewery Is Set For Summer
Chris Harris, owner of Black Frog Brewery in Holland, OH, reopened his taproom on June 17. He is just one of countless small business owners navigating the way they do business in the post COVID-19 world.
For example, the taproom, which usually accommodates 28 people, now seats 14, in accordance with state guidelines. While the brewer acknowledged the inevitable decrease in sales due to lower capacity, he also emphasized that Black Frog is taking every precaution to keep customers safe, including intense cleaning—a procedure he, like any good brewer, already had in place.
“We were already a small taproom, so the [seating of] 28 was kind of perfect, but with 14, it’s a little hard because when I reach that 14, there are still people coming in,” he explained in a June 16 interview. He said that, while it is never fun for a business owner to have to turn people away at the door, “we want to be social distancing, and I want everybody to be safe.”
Black Frog Brewery’s taproom opened in October 2016, but Harris brewed great beer for many years prior, receiving attention for working out of his garage.
Black Frog is also one of the only black-owned breweries in the state. There’s more black-owned breweries out there, but by comparison to the total number of breweries, it is just a small, minute number, according to Harris.
“I think a lot more could be done to bring more people of color into the industry; and I think that if there was more diversity and if more people of color saw themselves in this industry, it may bring more people to drink craft beer. Hopefully one day that will change, and there will be more POC representation,” he said. “I’m hoping that we’re on the precipice of some kind of a change in culture, it seems that way.”
Many of the beers have fresh names; and some are named after hip-hop icons, like Aaliyah, a Raspberry Kolsch, and the summer-inspired Whistlin’ Wheat, both of which will be available at the taproom this summer. Harris also mentioned that the Brewery plans to host a Christmas in July, but that it will likely be later in the month, given the COVID setback.
The brewer was candid about the familial atmosphere visitors will find at Black Frog Brewery. “This is a community brewery,” he said. “Anybody is welcome, no matter who you are, what your background is, what your skin color is. It’s a very welcoming brewery, and we do get all types.”
When asked what advice he would give to other small business owners during this strange time, Harris was very positive. “We’re gonna get through this together. Just keep on keepin’ on, and hopefully some type of vaccine will come for this virus and we can all get back to some semblance of normalcy,” he said.
Stop in and see for yourself.
*photos are courtesy of Black Frog Brewery/Chris Harris
