Full Circle Brewing and Crowns & Hops Brewing form business alliance, continue to grow Black beer community

Full Circle Brewing Co. and Crowns & Hops Brewing Co. recently announced a strategic alliance aimed at growing these minority-owned brewing businesses. The Circle of Crowns Beverage Group (CCBG) is an alliance that combines two leading Black-owned companies and centralizes production, sales and marketing between them, to bring locally curated brands and authentic experiences to more retailers and consumers around the world.

Full Circle, headquartered in Fresno, California, is the largest Black-owned, full-scale production craft brewery in the United States. Crowns & Hops Brewing Co. is the Inglewood based beer brand that ignited a global movement after forming in 2016, paving the way for more Black and Brown faces to enter the beer community. 

CCBG, made up of Full Circle, Crowns & Hops, Speakeasy Ales & Lagers, and Sonoma Cider, was established to break the barriers hindering Black-owned suppliers related to production, distribution and access to retailers. Historically, no Black supplier has had the infrastructure or scalable production capabilities to seize statewide, national, or global BIPOC producer opportunities. 

“This strategic alliance leverages the strength of our infrastructures and distributor networks to bring our unique brands to retail shelves around the world,” said Arthur Moye, CEO and Founder of Full Circle. “Together we are better positioned to maximize growth and bring more consumers craft beverages with an aspirational, relevant connection to black culture.”

This alliance comes on the heels of Full Circle’s 2023 merger with Speakeasy Ales and Lagers, another Black-owned brewery and its 2020 acquisition of Sonoma Cider. This deal brought more powerful brands together with new routes to market, driving rapid growth for the company. 

“We can each apply our No Big Deal skills, those areas where we naturally excel based on our previous knowledge and experiences,” explained Teo Hunter, Crowns & Hops co-founder and head of brewing operations. “Arthur at Full Circle is amazing with production, scaling, and the financial side of the business, while Beny and I are experts in branding, marketing, community, and partnerships.”

While the alliance is focused on the growth of its brands, it’s also focused on supporting and growing the overall Black beer community, both nationally and globally.

“Crowns & Hops and Full Circle share the same visions, values, and strategies,” added Beny Ashburn, “The Dope” CEO and co-founder, Crowns & Hops. “We’ve been collaborating since 2021, so we’ve gotten to know each other very well. Our collective mission extends beyond production, marketing, and sales; we aim to be a supportive resource for other Black-owned craft beer brands, fostering community and growth within the industry.”