From Homebrew Hobbyist to Augusta‘s Brewing Trailblazer: The Tapped 33 Story
Ah, the fragrant aroma of hops and the clinking of glasses – welcome to the bustling brew scene of Augusta, Georgia, where a dream fermented into a full-blown reality! Folks, strap in as we dive into the tale of Robert Young, the man who brought his craft beer passion from blueprint to bar top, becoming Augusta’s first Black brewer. Let’s raise a toast to this frothy adventure!
A Seed (or Hops) of an Idea Sprouts into Tapped 33 Craft Brewery
Imagine one day you’re jotting down ideas on a napkin, and the next, you’re the proud owner of a buzzing new business. That’s the story of Robert Young and his brainchild, Tapped 33 Craft Brewery. Holding the esteemed title of the city’s pioneer Black brewer, Young didn’t just stumble into the brewery biz.
“You see, the representation of Black folks in brewing’s like finding a four-leaf clover – pretty darn rare,” Young chuckled, recounting his journey. His vision was steeped in culture and tradition, pouring his soul into creating a craft beer that resonates with his roots while tipping his hat to the brewing world’s rich heritage.
The Journey from Kegs to Cans
Tapped 33’s story began in April when Young started selling kegs to local watering holes. And now, the real game-changer – they’ve bubbled over into canning for six-pack distribution. No small feat for a microbrewery that’s really starting to make foam-waves!
As Young put it, “It was a dream, and now it’s all coming together, as cheesy as that may sound. But I’m a firm believer that hard work pays off, and it has.” Sipping on that sweet nectar of success, his dream has barrel-aged into a beautiful reality.
The First Batch of Cans: A Loud but Proud Moment
On one fateful Friday, Tapped 33 crafted its first batch of canned beers. Surely, it was a noisy affair, but that din was music to Young’s ears – a symphonic milestone for both him and his company. “Watching my beer go from kegs to cans, occupying shelf space… it’s one of those pinch-me moments that all started with brewing a batch for my buddies,” Young said with a gleam in his eye.
From Ship to Sip: A Sailor’s Craft Beer Voyage
Young’s voyage into craft beer didn’t just start on a whim. His passion brewed while he was deployed with the Navy, where he had the chance to experience craft beers in Prague – a city that might just have beer running through its fountains! “I can still remember chilling in the brewery, thinking to myself, ‘I gotta figure out how this magic is made’,” reminisced Young.
And figure it out he did. Returning stateside, Young went from beer enthusiast to home brewer extraordinaire, ultimately leading to the birth of Tapped 33.
From Kitchen Experiments to Signature Brews
What started as tinkering in the kitchen soon steamed up into developing brews with catchy names like ‘Good Googly Moogly IPA’. These signature suds put Tapped 33 on the map and captured the curious palates of local beer lovers.
The Significance Behind the Number 33
The name ‘Tapped 33’? Oh, that’s steeped in meaning as rich as a stout! Firstly, Augusta straddles the 33rd parallel, giving a nod to the brewer’s hometown roots. Then, there’s the Godfather of Soul, James Brown – a son of Augusta – born in the year 1933. And for the final twist? Prohibition, the dark ages for all beer buffs, ended in 1933. “Those three threes just clicked, and I knew I had the perfect name,” Young said with an epiphany-like spark.
Brewing Dreams: From Co-op to Brewpub
For now, Young’s brewing and canning operations are housed under the wing of Savannah River Brewing Company. But like any visionary, he’s got his sights set on loftier brews, aspiring to open a brewpub that’ll be all his own.
This isn’t just idle chitchat – on the same Friday we mentioned, more than 2,400 beers were canned, ready to start flooding the shelves and warming up the cockles of local beer enthusiasts’ hearts.
Parting Sips
So, here’s to Robert Young, a man who took a pint-sized idea and turned it into an overflowing chalice of success, crushing stereotypes and filling glasses in Augusta. At Tapped 33 Craft Brewery, it’s not just about brewing beer – it’s about crafting a community, one hoppy sip at a time.
Lads and lasses, keep your eyes peeled on those shelves because Tapped 33’s brews are about to make a splash in the world of craft beer. And remember, when life gives you barley, make beer! Cheers, Augusta – this round’s on the innovator, dreamer, and trailblazer Robert Young. All rights reserved to WRDW/WAGT for shining the spotlight on this hoppy hero.
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