Black Calder Brewing Co

Black Calder Brewing Company GRAND RAPIDS, MI

MICHIGAN'S FIRST BLACK-OWNED BREWERY

Michigan has developed a reputation as a mecca for a craft beer industry that has seen a wide variety of breweries, microbreweries and brewpubs pop up all over the state. In fact, with more than 350 operating breweries in the Great Lakes State, statistically Michigan ranks among the leaders nationally-both in number of breweries and beer production. Yet for all the gaudy numbers — including economic impact — it wasn’t until 2020 that, thanks to the vision and dogged determination of Terry Rostic and Jamaal Ewing, the state now has what it has been sorely lacking in this burgeoning industry: a black-owned brewery. To say the two craft beer enthusiasts have paid their dues to realize a longtime dream would be selling them short. Rostic and Ewing, co-owners of Grand Rapids-based Black Calder Brewing Company, spent more than a decade visiting and supporting local breweries in west Michigan. “At the same time, we were constantly experimenting with our own home brews, said Rostic, a Grand Rapids native who has been mentored by many of the beer-crazed city’s brewery owners and friends, including Jason and Kris Spaulding of Brewery Vivant. COVID-19 put a wrench in their plans to open a physical location last year. Still, on Nov. 27, 2020 (Black Friday), Black Calder Brewing Company, on an occasion it dubbed “The Blackest Friday,” released its first can, a Black IPA (seven percent ABV). Dry-hopped with mosaic and Idaho 7, it’s a dark beer with a light tan head that shows moderate to high hop aromas, citrusy notes and light caramel. The smooth, medium-bodied brew echoes caramel and toffee all the way through with a bittersweet and citrusy finish. Though it wasn’t the type of debut Rostic and Ewing envisioned, “It has been a struggle to launch during a pandemic, but we also see it as somewhat of a blessing in disguise,” Ewing, a Lansing native, said. “Our original plans were to launch with a taproom at the end of 2019, which would have been disastrous for us a few months later.” The duo is currently contract brewing with Brewery Vivant and Broad Leaf Local Beer, an arrangement that provides the flexibility the two need as they navigate the uncertainty of what’s still to come. Like a lot of business owners, Rostic and Ewing have been forced to adjust on the fly, but they say their ultimate goal has been merely delayed, not ruined. Plans remain in place to open a physical location in Grand Rapids this year. “COVID-19 has made us adjust our business plan and how we get beer out to the public,” Ewing said. “No one creates a business plan with 50%

Thanks to the vision and dogged determination of Terry Rostic and Jamaal Ewing, the state now has what it has been sorely lacking in this burgeoning industry: a black-owned brewery, Black Calder Brewing Company. (Photo Provided)

or less occupancy in mind or only outdoor seating in Michigan. We are fortunate to have industry support and local breweries like Brewery Vivant that want to see and help our dreams come true.”

The dream began in 2016 when the two self-described “craft beer heads” met at a business meeting in Grand Rapids. They both quickly realized they had a connection that could lead to something significant — groundbreaking even. “We both had a passion for craft beer, community and togetherness,” Ewing recounted. “We didn’t see a lot of diversity in the breweries we frequented or themes that were representative of our culture. We started kicking around the idea of starting our own brewery and, in 2018, we pitched the idea at a local business competition and we won. Since then, we’ve never looked back. Black Calder Brewing Company was established to make great beer and provide a platform for innovation, art, culture, and inclusion through collaborations in the craft beer industry.” Studying abroad and traveling the world has allowed Rostic to share his culture while immersing himself in other cultures.

“My travels made me quickly realize that great beer was the universal language,” Rostic said. Since its Black Friday Launch of Black IPA (“a good beer that received rave reviews,” Ewing said), the brewery has released “BOUGIE S’ more Stout” and KiwiZilla. Both the Black IPA and BOUGIE S’ more Stout sold out. It’s all part of the company’s grand plan to “push the boundaries of what craft beer can be and bring our culture to cans and glasses all over the state,” Ewing said. “We also want to distribute throughout the midwest and bring Black Calder across state lines.” The company’s name, Black Calder, carries deep and varied meanings to the fledgling entrepreneurs. “It has a two-part meaning,” Ewing explains. “Black is a strong color that has many meanings. Black’s color meaning is symbolic of mystery, power and sophistication. That is the type of energy we put into this brewery and the types of beers we produce.” The second part of the name, Calder, is a nod to the city of Grand Rapids’ iconic public sculpture, “La Grande Vitesse, created by American artist Alexander Calder. “We hope to be as recognizable as that statue someday,” Ewing said. They have already achieved cultural trendsetting status as Michigan’s first black-owned brewery. “We appreciate the significance of being recognized as Michigan’s first black-owned brewery,” Ewing acknowledged. “It’s something Michigan and the craft beer industry has been longing for, but it’s not the only thing we want to be known for. Our motto is simple: Make dope beer for dope people.” Black Calder Brewing Company will offer a variety of beer styles focusing on imperial stouts, barrel and wood-aged beers, fruited ale, kettle sours, IPA’s, lagers and craft ciders. As the company grows, Rostic and Ewing will explore distilling and crafting wine for their non-beer drinking fans. The two are on their way to carving out an important business and cultural niche. “The passion that brewers, owners, and staff put into creating a unique experience was refreshing,” Ewing noted. “What we didn’t see was diversity and themes that spoke to the culture that we represent.” You can follow Black Calder on social media @ blackcalderbrewing (Facebook/Instagram)

Located on the banks of the Huron River

5790 N. Omena Rise Omena, MI 49670 (616) 403-6880 Michigan’s Original & Most Trusted Hop Source • 21 Michigan-grown hop varieties • 50+ hop varieties from around the world • No contracts needed • Professionally packaged and cold stored • Independent and Michigan owned • Same Day Shipping • Coming soon: Cryo, Lupulin Pellets, extracts...

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Beer Garden

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2350 W. Liberty St., Ann Arbor, MI •734-355-2827 • towniesbrewery.com

• Online Ordering • Curbside Carryout • Outside Seating

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Down-to-Earth Craft Beer & Food

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28 N. Washington St., Oxford, MI 48371 248-800-4244 | www.homegrownbrewco.com Drink Responsibly • Upper Hand Brewery • UpperhandBrewery.com