Q&A: Chris Harris of Black Frog Brewery

~ Making a big splash in Ohio brewing with passion.  ~

There are a lot of craft breweries getting started, and each one still seems to have a different story. I first heard about Black Frog Brewery during my visit to Columbus, OH, last summer, and then in an article in Ebony when doing some research on one of my beer heroes, Garrett Oliver. There was a lot I liked about what Chris Harris, owner of Black Frog, created, so I had to dig a little deeper, and add this hometown Toledo home brewer turned professional to our Q & A series. Enjoy! - Jason

​The LAB: ​What experience from your military background has helped you the most with starting your business?

Chris: The military has taught me a lot, but what has helped me most with the brewery is if I'm going to do something I'm going to do it right the first time. With my beer, quality is everything. Since we only brew small amounts, everthing that leaves must be perfect. 

​The LAB: ​Craft beer is fun and sexy from the outside looking in, but people don't realize that it's hard work, and grinding. What part of the job as a professional has been the biggest suprise to you? 

​Chris: The amount of paperwork that is involved in running a brewery is crazy. I think people think they will be brewing all day, but brewing is only about 10% of my time. 

Flying Frog IPA is a tribute to his father's career in the Air National Guard. Chris spent 10 years in the Army.

​The LAB: ​If you could trade places with an actor, athlete, or singer for a week who would it be? 

​Chris: Don Cheadle. He is my favorite actor. I have never seen a bad movie he has done. It would be cool to be him for a day. 

​The LAB: ​ ​Best pro team Ohio athlete of all time - Lebron James or Jim Brown?

Chris: This is a tough one. I'm more of a football fan, so I will have to go with Jim Brown.

Chris would pick Don Cheadle as his famous person to switch places with for a day.

​The LAB: ​You get to select one of of your beers and a plate of food for a relaxing Sunday afternoon, what is on that plate, and which beer did you select?

Chris: A nice steak and baked potato with a salad, and a pint of Froglicious, our Honey Porter.

​The LAB: ​What is your guilty sin when it comes to pairing beer and food?

Chris: Something that might surprise people, but I really don't have a guilty sin when pairing food with beer. 

​The LAB: ​That's crazy Chris. Currently, a so-called healthier brand of Fritos and a beer is my go-to. That salt and beer is fire, but I also feel like a college kid playing video games all day when I have the two. 

​The LAB: ​What is your favorite album or group to listen to while brewing?

Chris: No favorite album or group, but I'm playing Spotify, and listening to my rap playlist. It is a mixture of old school rap and some new stuff out now. ​

The LAB: ​I uno the same typically with Pandora, and 7 out of 10 times I'm listening to old school rap, also. A lot of Tribe for me lately, especially after Phife's death.

​The LAB: ​What is your favorite album or group to listen to while brewing?

Chris: No favorite album or group, but I'm playing Spotify, and listening to my rap playlist. It is a mixture of old school rap and some new stuff out now. ​

The LAB: ​I uno the same typically with Pandora, and 7 out of 10 times I'm listening to old school rap, also. A lot of Tribe for me lately, especially after Phife's death.

​Thanks again for the time Chris, and we'll be rooting for you. Looking forward to trying your new beers when we get back to Ohio. Cheers!

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