FIRST PRINCIPLES
We like simple.
There are enough things in life that surprise you and are complicated. Making
and delivering great beer to great people should not be hard.
Everyone associated with Harlem Blue follows these simple FIRST PRINCIPLES.
It's how we do.
Brew
Excellence
Celebrate
Moments
Be
Authentic
Tell Our
Stories
OUR BREWS
The inspiration for our brews always starts with our community, drinkability and flavor. Simple. Even when the alchemy to achieve the proper flavor profiles is more complex.
We love to hear from our customers your thoughts and feedback on taste and especially how Harlem Blue was part of how you celebrate; whether after completing an odd job around the house, reaching a personal fitness milestone, or starting a new job, let us know.
It's why we're here.
1658 Ale
5.1% ABV 24 IBUs
For our inaugural beer style, we selected the name 1658 Ale. 1658 is the year Dutch settlers are credited with founding the Village of Haarlem,
and we wanted this beer to reflect
a back-to-basics simpler time.
Reflecting a time before hops took over
the beer world,
it is a smooth and full-bodied American Pale Wheat ale, perfectly balanced for taste
and drinking in bunches.
We call it our Everyday Ale.
Not what you think of a "wheat beer." Gotta try it. It all comes down to the yeast, and ours is really tasty.
Hectic IPA
6.2% ABV 63 IBUs
An old school IPA that pours a rich
amber hue. It has a look-you-in-the-eye
malt flavor, balanced perfectly with
confident American hops, and the end
result is a full-mouth of
taste with smooth finish.
The name Hectic is a nod to author
and columnist, Roi Ottley and his column,
Hectic Harlem, which he wrote for the
historic Harlem-based newspaper,
The Amsterdam News.
SPEAK EASY
Celebrate moments and share them with us.
FOUNDER & CEO
Julian Riley moved to New York City and followed his well planned, and well studied
vocation, to a prestigious law firm and success as a contracts lawyer. Over time,
as he grew into his Yankees' cap, enjoyed
evening basketball battles, and moved to Harlem, he recognized something was missing.
But he wasn't quite certain what.
Along the way came the perfect woman who helped build the
perfect family. Combine that with true friends, a good gig,
and more hoops games, everything seemed there. Almost.
Harlem does that to you.
Inspires the hustler to come out. In some. In him.
The result was a leap of faith with a backpack of determination.
Be an entrepreneur.
Build something in the community. By the community.
Harlem Blue Premium Beer is his story.
A very Harlem story.
THE BLUE LIGHT
While researching the history of 20th Century Harlem and its under-recognized craftsmen,
I discovered that renowned gangsters Dutch Schultz and Owney Madden were not the only local “bootleg”
brewers distributing during Prohibition.
In fact, there was a strong underground of regular Harlemites who
liked to homebrew and served beer to socialize,
from the Renaissance Era and Prohibition, continuing through today.
Notably, there was a brownstone speakeasy –for those in the know- that had
a renowned "House Brew." Whenever a fresh batch was tapped,
they'd announce the same with a blue light out front. That's
brilliantly brazen, and reveals authentic pride.
That blue light notice is what inspired my vision for Harlem Blue premium beer.
Such undaunted “I’m gonna do me” ambition to produce one’s own beer,
then to boldly and literally illuminate your craftsmanship with a blue light out front,
epitomizes OUR Harlem; then and now.
With Harlem Blue, we seek to recapture this entrepreneurial energy,
without the lawbreaking of course.
We are currently brewing our beers locally under contract, with a traditional
co-packing relationship. We pledge to always craft our recipes on the
best brewing equipment we can find and continuously source
premium all-grain ingredients. Soon, we will be able to open a brewery in Harlem,
with a nod to the original blue light if you will, we
will be THE FIRST NEW PRODUCTION BREWERY IN HARLEM
SINCE PROHIBITION, while bringing jobs and the craft back to the community.
All we need is your support.
Drink us. Like us. Support us.
And soon we’ll be the 1st new production brewery in Harlem since Prohibition.
Always fresh and our best, that’s my pledge. Harlem Blue is for you.
- Julian Riley, Jr., Founder & CEO