On Juneteenth 2026, Right Proper Brew Pub at 624 T St. NW officially became Urban Garden Brewing. The new restaurant’s co-owner, Eamoni Collier, is the District’s first female African-American brewer with a brick-and-mortar space.
Patrons will find the place largely unchanged, except for the wall decor. A spacious front dining area is complemented by a very long bar at the back of the restaurant, where the brewery equipment is visible through a window. The colorful wall murals really pop against the interior. The plants in the expansive front patio are another welcome addition.
While the restaurant’s vibe may be familiar, Collier’s creative libations are a revelation.
The Botanical Brewer
“All Gaul is divided into three parts,” wrote Julius Caesar in his famous commentary on the Gallic Wars. The world of beer is far simpler.
Brewers generally fall into two camps. Those of the German persuasion follow the famous Reinheitsgebot, first adopted in Bavaria in 1516, which restricts ingredients to water, barley and hops.
Influenced by the brewing heresies of the Trappists, Belgium-style brewers incorporate every ingredient, perhaps with the exception of the proverbial kitchen sink, into their tasty creations.
botanically forward beers and elixirs.
Photo: Courtesy of Urban Garden Brewing
Collier, the brew mistress and co-owner of Urban Garden Brewing, is committed to creating botanically forward brews and non-alcoholic elixirs. She began her beer odyssey working at Right Proper Brewing, where she was fascinated by the onsite brewing. After a manager gifted her a homebrewing kit, there was no return.
Harvesting herbs from her uncle’s garden, Collier experimented with incorporating them into her brewing. Studying the history of the craft, she discovered its connection to ancient Egypt, where women brewed beer. Herbs, flowers and spices were essential elements. Beer played a major role in ancient gatherings and rituals.
Around the corner from her job at Right Proper, Collier discovered Calabash Tea, a shop filled with herbal tea blends. Collier employs unusual ingredients such as pandan leaf from the Philippines, pink peppercorns from India and sorrel from Jamaica.
“Making beer with more than water, hops and yeast, I wanted to give it a botanical vibe,” Collier said.
Sacred Pours
Not surprisingly, the beer portion of Urban Garden’s menu is entitled “Sacred Pours.” Five beers grace the list. All are Collier’s own creations.
The Chamolite is a soothing garden ale boasting notes of honey and chamomile and is this author’s personal favorite to imbibe on a scorching hot DC summer eve. The floral Roses Aren’t Dead incorporates rose petals and rose hips. The Lotus Flower Bomb, a botanical IPA, contrasts velvety lavender and rose florals with a tea-like bitterness.
The list is completed with two more house beers: Orange You Witty, a witbier, and a lemongrass Pilsner named Touch Grass! Don’t pass up the Communion, a shot of Jameson served with pint of the latter.
While Urban Garden is a brewery, Collier has also set a place for non-drinkers at her proverbial table.
semi-smashed patties with potato wedges.
Photo: Courtesy of Urban Garden Brewing
Botanical Elixirs
An amateur herbalist, Collier developed a fascination with so-called adaptogens. These natural plants and fungi help regulate the body’s physiological response to stress, functioning as metabolic regulators for the nervous and endocrine systems.
Collier employs adaptogens in her mocktails. The Ms. Basil combines a basil-lime syrup with holy basil and lion’s mane. The Mint Condition mixes orange-mint-rosemary syrup with lemon balm and lion’s mane. The Cu-pple pairs apple-cucumber juice with damiana and maca. The Pandan & Chill incorporates lemon balm and maca with pandan syrup and pineapple juice.
“In future, we will be making all our own tinctures,” Collier added.
The Fair
Urban Garden’s chef, Ayris Fair, serves a solid set of “elevated” classic entries alongside the restaurant’s mocktails and adult beverages. These include a smashed double-patty burger, crispy whole wings and delicious potato wedges.
Make sure not to miss the house-made pickles, served fried or plain. These are a particular point of pride for the chef. He is planning a six-course tasting menu designed with both boozy and non-alcoholic pairings.
A Storied History
Homebrewing earned Collier familial accolades. “We don’t like beer, but we like yours,” she recalled her aunts saying.
Collier hails from an extended District clan. A native Washingtonian, she grew up in Ward 7 and graduated from Maya Angelou Public Charter School. She pursued a career as a singer-songwriter before falling in love with brewing.
When Right Proper decided to end its lease at T Street, the owner called Collier and offered to convey the establishment “as is.” With the aid of her family, husband and co-owner Renaud Scott, Collier raised the funds to take over the business. The location itself held a special place in her family’s history.
Back in the era of Black Broadway, 624 T St. NW was a popular pool hall. Duke Ellington’s famous Washingtonians started their storied career playing there. The youngest member of the band was Collier’s grandfather, Joe Tate, who used to sneak in through the back door due to being underage. Tate later produced Chuck Brown’s first go-go record. His saxophone is enshrined in a case on Urban Garden’s wall.
Collier hopes to continue her family’s legacy by brewing the most botanically creative beers in the heart of Black Broadway.
Urban Garden Brewing is located at 624 T St. NW. For more information, visit www.urbangardenbrewing.com.
