Brewing Up Representation and Opportunity
Brothers Richard and Mengistu Koilor are making history by opening Philadelphia’s first Black-owned brewery, Two Locals Brewing Co., at the uCity Square development on Drexel University’s campus. The brothers have signed a lease to open the brewery and taproom in the summer of 2023, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.
“There are not a lot of places in West Philly that can house a brewery,” said Mengistu Koilor. “University City puts us close enough to where we grew up that we can still have an effect on the community, and it’s a higher visibility for our first space.”
The Koilors started home-brewing beer together in 2016 using a one-gallon kit. They took their hobby more seriously by joining the Philadelphia Homebrew Club and even won a silver medal in 2019 for their Nubian brown ale. Seeing a lack of diversity and representation in Philadelphia’s brewing scene inspired them to start their own brewery.
Funding Struggles to Opening Doors
While developing Two Locals Brewing Co., the brothers maintained their full-time jobs to pay the bills. The COVID-19 pandemic also made acquiring funding extremely difficult.
“It’s been tough for us to find financial support through loans,” explained Mengistu. “It could be because of the time and the effect COVID has had. There is a higher risk for start-up businesses. And from hearing other stories, we also think our race plays a role in us getting approved for the loan we need.”
Despite funding struggles, the brothers now have an investor and plan to obtain a loan from PIDC Philadelphia to open at uCity Square. The nearly 6,000-square-foot space will feature a visible 15-barrel brew house and activate the streetscape, says Wexford Science & Technology VP Pete Cramer.
More Than Just Beer
The upcoming brewery aims to be more than just a place to grab locally-made craft beer. The menu will offer bar food and weekly special dishes that represent the Koilors’ Liberian and Jamaican heritage.
The brothers also want to show the local Black community the opportunities available in brewing. “I see more interest in brewing, whether it’s people wanting to get into brewing or start a craft-beer blog or do events that’s based around craft beer,” noted Richard Koilor.
“It’s been good to see.”
The Koilors hope to inspire and add diversity to Philadelphia’s beer scene. “We hope that other Black-owned breweries join us and aren’t far behind,” said Richard. “We would love to see our story inspire others.”
