|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Crowns and Hops Brewing Co. is participating in the 2024 Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival at Disneyland for the third consecutive year, making “the happiest place on earth” seem just a little bit happier.
This annual foodie festival features an assortment of events, tastings, and culinary creations, highlighting the best food and beverage businesses the Golden States has to offer. “Three years in, and it is still one of the most magical places on Earth,” says Beny Ashburn, co-founder and CEO of Crowns and Hops Brewing Co.
The Black-owned brewery has become a fan favorite at the festival, drawing people in with its impactful brand and artisanal craft beer selections.
Through its mission centered around inclusion and representation, Crowns and Hops, in partnership with Disney, is not only making waves in the craft beer space but fostering a vibrant community within it.
Creating Impact Through Crowns and Hops
Before brewing their first batch of beer in 2020, Crowns and Hops emerged as a social brand promoting inclusivity in the craft beer industry. Born out of the desire to see greater representation of people of color in these spaces, the Inglewood-based company was co-founded by Beny Ashburn and Teo Hunter in 2016.
“We noticed the blaring void of Black people, not only as customers inside of taprooms and breweries, but specifically on the ownership side of the industry,” says Ashburn.
“So, we decided to focus all of our energy on creating a brand that drove more racial equity inside of craft beer.”
Through collaboration with other breweries, the brand focused on community-driven social engagement by creating content centered around diversity and educating people on the inner workings of craft beer.
“We would host events and create content where people could actually see what Black and Brown people look like inside of the craft beer space,” the CEO explains.
After successfully establishing their influential brand and cultivating a community, Ashburn and Hunter resolved to start brewing themselves. “When we did finally brew our first batch of beer in 2020, Stone distribution picked us up and it really just kind of took off from there.”
Craft Brews and Changemakers
Crowns and Hops Brewing Co. persists in championing cultural equity by offering a diverse range of craft beers celebrating Black culture and promoting other Black-owned breweries through fundraising.
“We have started a nonprofit organization where we collect funds and give back to other Black-owned craft beer brands to help us grow in general, as a whole,” Ashburn shares. The brewery’s partnerships with larger brands like Disney have also been instrumental in that growth.
“Through Disney promoting us as individuals and Black owners of this business as well…it’s a testament to how they’re growing and how they’re supporting small local businesses.” Ashburn reflects.
Crowns and Hops is available at select marketplaces and participating restaurants during the festival, which includes their Inglewood Sun West Coast IPA, A bright and clean India pale ale with floral and citrus notes.
“It’s opportunities and partnerships with brands and businesses like Disney that allow us to expand our consumer base in a way we would have never been able to do on our own.”
RELATED: Down Home Brewing Makes Waves with Craft Beer
The Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival is taking place through April 22 in Anaheim, California. The festival made its debut in 2006, making a run through 2010—years to follow included closures for park construction and the 2020 pandemic.
2022 marked its return, bringing attendees excitement and new tasting adventures and experiences.
There is still over a week left to enjoy all that the festival has to offer, including local, celebrity and Disney chef cooking demonstrations (check the schedule for dates and times), seminars and, of course the food, with fan favorite being the Sip and Savor Pass that allows you to sample 4 or 8 booths for delicious bites throughout the various marketplaces.
To plan your visit to this year’s Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival, including marketplaces where you can find Crowns and Hops, visit the website.
