I am often asked, “What’s your favorite beer?”, which has always been an extremely broad question to answer. Broad in the sense that there’s so many styles or categories of beer to consider before providing an answer. Sometimes I can proudly name a slayed ”whale” (beer reference for overpriced rare or small batch/limited released craft beer), most of the time it’s simply answering with my favorites styles; imperial stouts and lagers. Then there’s the question of “What’s your favorite brewery to visit?”. Tough one to answer when there’s over 8,000+ craft breweries in the U.S. and I’ve been to at least 100 of them. But if you must know — it’s Guinness Brewery in Baltimore, MD. Although, there is a debate if they’re even considered a craft brewery.

There’s one question that I’ve always asked myself when visiting breweries over the years. It’s a question not too many have asked me, until recently. “Where are all of the black people?”

Before anyone who reads this gets up in arms, this is a two-way street that has a middle ground for us all to meet. Safely. The underrepresentation of people of color in the craft beer industry has been an ongoing issue. Discussions about diversity and inclusion have been made but many have also been ignored as the topic is sensitive to most. The lack of diversity in the taproom is being noticed; the bar staff, cellarmen/cellarwomen, brewers, and even ownership. It’s being observed by beer snobs, or aficionados, such as myself, and to those that are new to craft beer on the outside looking in.

I’ve been a voice against the cultural appropriation, tone deaf labels, and beer names that breweries jump on with no thought to how offensive these could be to minorities. We have breweries mistreating their employees of color with distasteful racist and sexist jokes or segregated office supplies. Yes, you’ve read that last part right. Explicitly “F” that brewery. It’s an industry that can make most people of color cringe just to be a part of.

Ready to address the elephant in the room now? Craft beer is a predominately white all boys club.

It started that way and has been that way for some time now. With the rise of women, LGBTQ+, and minority brewers and owners, we are on a path to great change in the industry. To play devils advocate, taprooms aren’t that much more diverse on the consumer side either, which leads me to ask, how are people of color or other underrepresented minorities looking to include ourselves in this industry?

I see change happening by encouraging people of color to tap into the market by looking to own, partner, and operate a brewery. Making this change will make more people of color feel included and welcome when visiting, working for, and owning a business in craft beer.

Of all craft breweries in the U.S. less than 1% are actually black-owned. That’s roughly 60 black-owned breweries out of over 8,000. A small fraction, but huge progress nonetheless, as the number slowly but surely increases year over year. You are probably asking yourself, how do we, as Black and Brown people engage ourselves? Instead of waiting on an invitation (because let’s face it, not everyone is going to roll out the red carpet for us) we need to take the initiative and visit local breweries in our own communities and drink beer. We need to apply for front of house brewery positions and become a recognized face and heard voice. We need to partner with our fellow minority friends to develop business plans and create a platform to empower ourselves in this industry.

Many breweries have been vocal; making it clear that racism and hate is not tolerated in their brewery. Making it loud and clear that the Black community is loved, appreciated and welcomed as they stand with us as allies in solidarity.

Watch for breweries that have been eerily silent or blatantly announcing and showing their lack of empathy and flat out hate towards black people, while at the same time having black and other minority customers and staff members. Pay attention to redacted opinions and companies begrudgingly joining the cause. Many have only posted a black square on social media and left it that. Leaving their supporting consumers wondering what’s next, as “business as usual” posts buried that black square.

We need to support the breweries that are standing up against the injustices towards people of color. The breweries that are donating and raising money for minority focused charities. Most are brewing charitable beers like the now worldwide Black is Beautiful beer initiative, started by Weathered Souls Brewing in San Antonio, TX, who used this time as an amazing opportunity to shed light on today’s racial issues. You can find out more about the initiative at blackisbeautiful.beer and support the communities that are local to you by visiting participating breweries in your area and purchase Black is Beautiful.

Garrett Oliver, of Brooklyn Brewery, has recently launched The Michael Jackson Foundation for Brewing & Distilling. A grant-making organization that funds scholarship awards to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color within the brewing and distilling trades.

The breweries that have been silent with their brewing platforms have blamed COVID or lack of tank space as reasons they’re not participating. Fair, but there’s over 1,000 breweries worldwide participating that are also suffering from the destruction COVID-19, have limited tank space, but rearranged brewing schedules to support the cause. Silent breweries have been slowly doing a 180 and participating after a slew of social media call outs. Knowing that it has taken being called out to get a brewery to brew a beer versus genuinely deciding to do so on their own is disappointing, yet eye opening.

Of course we know that all lives do matter but Black lives are the ones in jeopardy today. Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd are just a few of the unexpected, unnecessary, and unlawful examples of that jeopardy. When it comes to craft beer, and the industry within itself, let’s acknowledge those people of color that are advocating for diversity and inclusion. We’ve reached out in many ways to support craft breweries — now its time for you to reach out. Create that dialogue and educate yourself. If these are issues you’ve never dealt with by not being a minority, have a conversation with your staff and other supporters that are. Brewery owners and managers must note that even within your own staff, if there’s a minority team member, they may be hurting and looking at you for guidance, compassion, acknowledgment, and more than likely solidarity. Be our ally.

We need to keep the pressure on and speak out. We can’t stop with a black square on Instagram or even with this article. We need to use those hashtags and #SayTheirNames, continuing to feature the voices of Black & Brown people with more articles such as mine here. I love craft beer and the industry behind it. All I want from the craft beer industry is to love me back. Because I am Black, and want to be seen and included.

Sincerely,

Your Brotha in Beer

Follow the @thebrewbrotha on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook

From the summer 2020 issue.