Georgia Trend Magazine. November 2023.
If you are a novice homebrewer or ever dreamed of having a profession in beer, be inspired by Robert Young, III. Young is an Atlanta native, who started drinking beer in college (as many do) and discovered his true love for the drink as he traveled through Germany and Czechia during his Navy service. After returning to Augusta’s Fort Eisenhower, the Navy veteran started dabbling in brewing on the side and turned his hobby into a business. Today he is Augusta’s first Black brewer and founder of Tapped33 Craft Brewery, the label under which his beers are brewed.
Young says the name Tapped 33 is based on three facts: Augusta is located on the 33rd parallel on earth; prohibition ended in 1933; and his favorite Augusta Black musician, James Brown was born in 1933.
“The Black community is underrepresented in the craft beer industry,” says Young. He says that craft beer has not really been advertised to attract Black beer drinkers, and there are very few brewers of color. Young’s goal is to educate people about the different styles and flavor profiles of beer because, he says “there is one you will surely like.” He stays true to the traditional beer-making approach but adds his own unique twists on the flavors.
Young started by experimenting with professional brewing techniques at his own home and discovered “somewhat drinkable beer” on his fifth brewing attempt. He kept going as he enjoyed the process of blending flavors that he liked drinking, and he took lessons to understand the business side of establishing a brewery. He says, “I had to learn how to make a business plan, manage my time and connect with people from the industry.” Young found the Brewers Association to be one of the best resources to learn from as it is a strong advocate for Black brewers. He also utilized the Georgia Small Business Development Center which offers free resources to connect with mentors, bankers and lawyers. After volunteering at the award-winning Savannah River Brewing Company, he was able to set up a contractual brewing relationship in which he got to use the company’s space and equipment to create brews for his Tapped33 label. This allowed him the flexibility of time and capital while growing his reach.
Of course, the beer itself is as good as Young’s story! You can find out for yourself by tasting it at Augusta’s bars and restaurants. Tapped33’s flagship is Good Googly Moogly Juicy IPA with tropical, citrus, guava, papaya, and orange notes. Other brews include Cherry Bourbon Porter with sweet and tart cherry and caramel; Brown Sugar Brown Ale which has caramel and vanilla flavors, and a Light Lager that has lemon and jasmine rice flavors, all of which are available on tap around Augusta. Young says cans of his brews should be at grocery stores and retail spaces around Augusta later this year.
Young recently received the Michael James Jackson Foundation scholarship that funds BIPOC brewers to receive higher education in brewing. He says he will study beermaking for six weeks in Chicago and 14 weeks in Germany. But when he returns, Young hopes to open Tapped33 as a brick-and-mortar brewpub in Augusta.
For those who want to start homebrewing, Young advises purchasing a kit from a homebrewing store. “It has everything you need to make your first batch of beer. Your first beer may be crappy, but with practice you will improve!” he says. He also recommends the book, “The complete joy of home brewing” by Charlie Papazian. And finally, follow your passion whether it is drinking or making beer!
~ Written for and published by Georgia Trend Magazine. All rights reserved.