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MY JOURNEY TO launching Tapped33 began with curiosity, not capital. While traveling throughout Europe during my Navy deployment, I fell in love with the beer culture in Prague and Germany and wanted to learn more about the process of brewing. When I returned to the U.S., I bought a home brewing kit and began experimenting as a hobby. Eventually, I realized brewing could become a long-term business venture.
The process of making beer has always fascinated me because it’s a mix between creative arts and science. I like to nerd out on the science part, get creative, and come up with ideas. Tapped33 reflects that balance in intentional ways, starting with the company’s name. It has three significant meanings: the end of Prohibition in 1933, the birth year of James Brown—my favorite musician—and Augusta’s location on the 33rd parallel.
PHOTOGRAPH BY WILL CROOKS
In 2023, when Tapped33 began, Augusta had no Black-owned breweries. Recognizing a gap in the city’s market, I saw an opportunity for representation. It’s very rare to see a Black brewer in the industry, but I’m trying to change that narrative. I want people to see my culture behind the brand.
While my long-term goal is to open a taproom in Augusta, I’m focused on meeting demand first. I contract brew through Savannah River Brewing Company, paying for ingredients, labor, and production while managing distribution myself. This has allowed me to have a very low cost of entry to get my brand on the shelf. Tapped33 now sells out consistently, a success I credit to both the quality of my beers and the stories behind each can, many of which highlight my love for music.
Good Googly Moogly Juicy IPA, the company’s flagship flavor, plays on the Project Pat song of the same name and features tropical citrus, guava, papaya, and orange notes. 95 D’Angelo is a nod to the R&B singer of the same name and his 1995 album Brown Sugar. It has hints of chocolate, roasted caramel, and vanilla. Ricky Rosé Ale was inspired by rapper Rick Ross’s nickname (Ricky Rozay) and the drink so many women love.
As Georgia’s craft beer market matures, I see Tapped33 carving out a unique space. By blending Black culture with craft and scaling thoughtfully, I’m showing that innovation and inclusion can grow side by side.
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