MONTCLAIR, N.J. — Montclair Brewery has launched Lumumba Smoked Ale, the newest addition to its annual Black History Month Beer Series. The beer is now available in the Montclair taproom and through select distribution partners.
The brewery’s Black History Month series celebrates influential Black leaders, culture, history, and resilience through carefully crafted beers. Lumumba Smoked Ale offers a smooth malt profile layered with refined smoky character, delivering a distinctive yet highly approachable drinking experience.
Later this month, the brewery will re-release its Limited Edition Doby Caramel Pale Ale, another standout in the series that honors baseball legend and former Montclair resident Larry Doby. A special Black History Month to-go beer flight featuring a mixed four-pack of beers, along with music and art, will also be part of the month’s celebrations.
Lumumba Smoked Ale pays tribute to Patrice Lumumba, the Congolese nationalist leader who played a pivotal role in ending colonial rule in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He became the country’s first Prime Minister in 1960 and was widely seen as one of Africa’s most promising new voices before his assassination in 1961 amid Cold War tensions. Historians note that his left-leaning politics led him to fall out of favor with Western powers. Today, his legacy remains a powerful symbol of independence, sovereignty, and African self-determination.
The brewery chose to honor Lumumba after renewed global attention during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament. A dedicated Congolese supporter, Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, gained international recognition by attending matches dressed as Lumumba and holding a motionless pose throughout Congo’s games — a living tribute that mirrored the famous Lumumba statue in Kinshasa. The powerful gesture sparked widespread media coverage and brought Lumumba’s historical significance back into the global spotlight.
The beer’s can label features a photo of the well-known Lumumba statue in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s capital, along with a small image of Michel Nkuka Mboladinga.
“As a former football (soccer) player, coach, and lifelong fan of the tournament, seeing that powerful tribute to Lumumba during the matches was incredibly moving,” said Leo Sawadogo, Co-owner and Head Brewer of Montclair Brewery. “Lumumba represents courage, leadership, and the pursuit of independence — values that deserve continued recognition. Creating this beer was our way of honoring that legacy while sharing an important story with our community.”
Both Lumumba Smoked Ale and the returning Doby Caramel Pale Ale will be available in the Montclair Brewery taproom and at select distributors and retail partners while supplies last, offered in cans and on draft.
In addition to the beer releases, Montclair Brewery is hosting a full calendar of Black History Month programming throughout the month, including live performances by musicians connected to the African diaspora and an art exhibition featuring works by Sydnei Smith Jordan on display in the taproom.
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