In the U.S. craft beer scene, Black brewers remain severely underrepresented. Their stories, challenges, and breakthroughs often go unheard. That’s exactly why the Black Brew Dialogues series emerged—not just as a media initiative but as a living, breathing conversation. It’s a platform where Black voices in brewing get the space to speak freely about experience, survival, and the long arc of hope. For an industry that prides itself on craft and community, this dialogue is long overdue—and powerfully transformative.
What the Black Brew Dialogues Are All About
The Black Brew Dialogues is a video interview series spotlighting Black leaders in craft brewing. Through candid, personal conversations, it dives into both the professional and deeply personal sides of brewing while confronting the industry’s often-unspoken barriers.
These episodes aren’t just stories—they’re educational, emotional, and empowering. Topics range from systemic racism and invisibility to paternalism in leadership, and the push for meaningful inclusion.
One line has become a signature for the project:
“We’re not just making beer — we’re making space.”
This isn’t just metaphor—it’s mission.
Key Insights from the Series
Each episode surfaces hard truths and hard-earned wisdom. Here are four of the most resonant insights shared across conversations:
1. Visibility Isn’t a Privilege — It’s a Necessity
Many participants say they never saw other Black brewers until attending special events or discovering content online. For them, Black Brew Dialogues offered something rare: a mirror. Representation showed they weren’t alone in a space that too often feels off-limits.
2. The Glass Ceiling Is Real—and It’s Low
The conversation repeatedly circles back to how Black professionals in brewing are often confined to production roles. They rarely get access to marketing, recipe development, leadership positions, or partnerships. Ambition exists—but gatekeeping holds it back.
3. Inclusion Takes More Than a Friendly Post
Several guests call out breweries that use Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity (DIE) language without following through. Posting support online isn’t enough. Without internal reform—training, leadership change, shared power—such messaging rings hollow, and trust fades fast.
4. Community Was the First to Show Up
Nearly every speaker mentions how their own Black community rallied behind them—from first batches to food pairings, events, and launches. Recognition from the broader beer scene came later. Support from their people came first—and mattered most.
Where to Watch the Black Brew Dialogues
All episodes of the Black Brew Dialogues are available on the project’s official platform.
Watch the full series here (insert platform link)
Whether you’re in the industry or just a fan of craft beer, it’s worth every minute.
Why the Series Matters — To the Industry and Beyond
The Black Brew Dialogues are already reshaping expectations. For the craft beer industry, the project introduces a new normal—where seeing Black brewers isn’t exceptional but expected.
For audiences, it offers something refreshingly honest: voices without filters, PR edits, or marketing polish. These aren’t token stories—they’re blueprints for what authentic inclusion looks like.
And for future professionals, especially Black youth eyeing a career in craft brewing, these stories act as maps and motivation. They highlight both the barriers and the breakthroughs, making the path clearer, even if it’s still challenging.
