In the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sheldon Goins found himself at a crossroads.

He had lost his job in February 2020, and in search of solace, he began experimenting with various craft beers from a local liquor store in Bowie, MD. This exploration sparked an unexpected idea, courtesy of his wife, Brittany. “What if we created our own beer?” she proposed. Though initially skeptical, Sheldon soon found her suggestion compelling. He invested in brewing equipment and homebrew kits, starting a journey that would ultimately lead to the creation of Black Beauty Brewery in August 2020.

Sheldon recalls the early days of his brewing experiments, which quickly evolved into a serious passion. “After a while, I started creating my own recipes. Periodically, we’d have friends and family try our beer for their honest feedback. Then I started entering my homebrewed beer in different homebrew competitions and received 1st and 3rd prize; never 2nd, which made no sense to me. I received first place for my Bloody Orange, and at that point, my wife said I think we have something here and suggested I create a company.” Despite the challenges of licensing and funding, the vision for Black Beauty Brewery was realized, fueled by determination and creativity.

Celebrating Black culture and heritage is at the heart of Black Beauty Brewery’s identity. Sheldon describes the inspiration behind the brewery’s name and branding. “I am pretty afro-centric and my wife, Brittany, inspired me from the beginning. She is the black beauty behind the brewery. Our logos incorporate the Pan-African Flag colors (Black, Green, and Red). We are our ancestors’ wildest dreams, and we continue to channel generations of excellent work ethic, which can be seen through our business’ progress and our beer.”

The brewery’s beer offerings reflect a commitment to innovation and creativity. “We take pride in creating innovative beers that the masses rarely see, or have never seen at all. Creativity makes you stand out…and that is the goal,” Sheldon explains. Among their standout creations is the Bloody Orange Saison, a French-Belgian style beer featuring a balance of fruit, spice, and earthy notes with blood orange puree, pepper, and clove, boasting an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 6%. Another favorite is the White Chocolate Dream Blonde Stout, a dessert-style beer with bold flavors of dark stout mixed with white chocolate, yet light and lactose-free, with an ABV of 4.8%.

Navigating the brewing industry as a Black-owned business presents unique challenges and opportunities. Sheldon emphasizes the importance of perseverance and strategic planning. “Out of the nearly 10,000 craft brewers in the country, only about 1% are Black-owned. You have to get out of your comfort zone constantly and include yourself in different circles. The opportunity to succeed is out there; you just have to work hard and grind for it.”

Sheldon offers sage advice to aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly those from underrepresented communities. “Do not give up on your dreams and aspirations. There will definitely be obstacles thrown your way, but it is solely up to you and how passionate you are to determine how you overcome them. Stay strong mentally and physically because it is a ride that is well worth it…especially when you see the fruits of your labor.”

Looking ahead, Black Beauty Brewery is poised for expansion. “We are currently working on expanding out to different states and adding more beer flavors/styles to our inventory. At the moment, our beer can be found in D.C. & Maryland, and soon Delaware,” Sheldon shares.

Black Beauty Brewery is built upon resilience, innovation, and cultural pride, brewing not just beer, but a legacy that honors the past and inspires the future.

Cover photo: Sheldon and Brittany Goins are Building a Legacy of Innovation and Cultural Pride / Credit: Black Beauty Brewery