The new organization’s Board of Directors includes a familiar name from the local beer scene–Rodney Hines, the CEO and co-founder of Metiér Brewing Company.
There are over 9,000 breweries in the USA. Only about 100 are owned by African Americans. The Brewers Association says there are over 700 breweries here in the Pacific Northwest. In Washington, three breweries are Black-owned, in Oregon there is just one, and in Idaho there are none.
Industry experts and observers, like me, recognize that if the craft beer industry wants to enjoy a prosperous, dynamic, and robust future, it must become more diverse and inclusive. That said, today I am sharing some important, happy news.
This week, craft beer professionals from around the country are gathered in Nashville for the annual Craft Brewers Conference. The occassion provided a great opportunity for the National Black Brewers Association (NB2A) to introduce itself. The newly formed organization’s motto: We Celebrate Those Bringing Culture to the Cup.
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“Less than 1% of craft breweries in the U.S. are owned by African Americans and there is no single entity to help African American brewers and brewery owners with their specific needs and issues,” says the NB2A website.
“Given these challenges, the National Black Brewers Association (NB2A) was formed as a 501c6 membership-based non-profit organization to:
- Promote the Black brewing community as a first-of-its kind organization
- Increase the number of African Americans in the brewing industry at all levels of production, especially ownership and brewmaster
- Exercise political influence by developing and advocating for effective policy
- And foster understanding about the history and legacy of African American brewing in the United States.
“The NB2A is governed by a dynamic Board of Directors comprised of the most experienced and successful Black brewery owners and brewmasters across the country.”
You can learn more about the NB2A and sign up for the mailing list on the organization’s website.
By the way, here are the four breweries in the Pacific Northwest that are on the NB2A’s list of Black-owned breweries:
- Assembly Brewing – Portland, Oregon
- Black Label Brewing Company – Spokane, Washington
- 23rd Ave Brewery – Seattle, Washington
- Métier Brewing – Woodinville, Washington
