"We brought in a lot of people from the black community, listened to what they like to drink, crafted beers behind that, and been able to make inroads into folks saying you know what maybe I do like craft beer," Bracey said on the recent Facebook chat."Maybe there is some opportunity in this industry because even if I am not brewing, maybe I could do any of the multitude of other things that happen around the brewery.
The Fresh Fest smartphone app has details on the 65 Black-owned breweries coast-to-coast. So if you’re traveling, you can pull out your phone, and with a few clicks learn if there are any Black-run breweries nearby. "When you talk about reaching new fans, we were doing it," Latiesha Cook said."Literally, converting people who have never even heard of craft beer to be craft beer lovers."Sofia Barbaresco, who chairs the New York State Brewers Association's inclusivity committee, worked in the beer industry for eight years before joining the association's board.
“It boils down to funding,” Apollon said. “Black people in many areas aren’t as economically successful as the white majority.” A major way to alleviate many of those cultural barriers to entry is to create spaces that all people feel comfortable in, she said. Barbaresco cites her own story in the beer industry. She started working in a brewery taproom and discovered a sense of community.
Through the NYSBA inclusivity committee, she is gathering input from member breweries and crafting conversations about what must be done to encourage change.On a local level, many brewery owners are brainstorming and instituting ways to reach new people. But the efforts are made more difficult by the reality of the novel coronavirus pandemic and the need to keep a business afloat while a portion of the economy remains shuttered.
liar.
How the hell is a “CRAFT” supposed to be diversified if NO ONE of any particular race seems to give a shit about it enough to master that trade? Is there a rule that says if you ain’t white, you can’t make beer? Or if you ain’t Japanese, you can’t make rice wine? Really?! Really?
Blacks can learn to brew beer if they want too.
white cars are predominantly white. we need to diverse white cars and make white cars to appear in other colors too. wtf?
The amount of crying in these comments is hilarious. These are the same people that probably believe red lining was an accident.
USA Today has a content quality problem. Remember when you were a good newspaper?
The Media is one of those institutions...
Ironic...same people writing these racist comments forget what color they are!
WTF?... Craft Beer is racist
wHITE people now must 'help' Black people get into craft beer. Maybe George Soros or the Demogogic Party can help them. Because they apparently can't do it themselves (?). Nonsense.
I have never seen such racism in my life until this year. This such a racist post.
Hopefully blacks can be more equally represented in craft beer and the NBA...Right? We want employment equal to percentage of population in all professions don’t we?
Really how sad you are ! Do they drink lots of beer ?
Do they have a 'BLM' beer?
Aghhhhhhh
So! NBA is dominated by black men!
What do we do about the NBA? B*tches.
Keep stoking the fire 🔥
Excuses are like....... If you dream it, you can do it. The only limits are those that a person places on themselves.
Well obviously white peope like to make their own beer
So.
Breweries are “awarded?” Its called entrepreneurship = Go Start a business = invest or raise the $$ (take the risk)
Diversity in Chinese Food restaurant ownership is needed. JFC Can I not scroll a twitter feed without people telling me how I'm supposed to feel about Black ownership?
😂😂
People who drink craft beer do not care about race, ethnicity, or gender. If the beer is good that is all that matters. Who cares!!!
POC like craft beer as much as white people, but our industry hasn't made any real effort to speak to them or even make them feel welcome in our spaces. It's been a problem for a long time and it's good that it's starting to get more attention.
This is really stupid. Why?
Craft beer is dominated by white people. These words have no place here. Why these racist words. Our division will continue with this thought process. This is 2020, not 1950. We’re doomed thinking this way.
Keep on reporting to divide USA today. Without you we wouldn't have all the hate we've come to enjoy
Who is stopping blacks from brewing? ...no one.
Omg, beer is racist now! Good grief, now people have to consider diversity when choosing what kind of business they want to start?
This headline is part of the problem. Be better USA Today losers usatoday
The white fuckery is these comments smh
Pale ale.
So what, anyone is free to open shop
Breweries are racist - cancel them lmao
'What is sustainable that doesn’t have diversity?' Seriously? Brewing beer is the second oldest profession.
Christ on a bike! Beer is racist now. I'll never let a drop touch my lips ever again.
Aren't taking this too far?
So? Are you claiming there are black people that have been burned out of their brewery businesses because they are black? Are they denied licenses to brew because they are black?
Un. Follow.
GTFOH
And?
Next is what, Wineries ?
Just when I think I’ve seen the stupidest headline.🤦♀️
Let’s see your typical 87 % doesn’t travel to the neighborhoods to stop in and have a craft beer. Sounds like best chance is to get the bros to stop drinking colt 45
The rap world is dominated by black people, especially when it comes to recording ownership. Maybe, just maybe, craft beer is something that white people enjoy more that POC? Just like rap is predominantly enjoyed by POC. Get a grip.
“The horror”
drink a glass of water on an empty stomach every day but avoid eating or drinking anything for around 45 minutes.
I am looking forward to brewpubs whose brews pair with an awesome menu of soul food.... Craft beer + soul food seem s like it should have been thought of ages ago. Seriously- the craft beer scene + foodie scene crossover so much, more diversity in the industry would be stellar
This is lazy journalism. But, you are good at that. Next, take on sewing.
Who gives a fuck.
Oh for the love of god, so what? Non story
Pathetic. Maybe micro-brewing is a meritocracy.
They should get off their behinds and get to work. Stop the complaining already. Doesn't matter who brews the stuff as long as it taste good.
I know u need clicks. please stop.
This is the fucking stupidest article i have ever read. Most craft beer is an upstart, self owned business in the beginning. Nobody is oreventing anyone from getting involved. And maybe they dont even want to.
Thank me
Lmao, you are so pathetic