Local podcast aims to brew up more diversity in the craft beer industry
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Drinking beer is a pastime enjoyed by all kinds of people, but that's not always reflected in those who make it.
Greg Davenport, Anthony Jennings and Phillip Owens all work at breweries across the Twin Cities, and have teamed up to try to make the industry more diverse.
They've been recording episodes of the "Black Brewers Podcast" for over a year now inside the Dabbler Depot in St. Paul. When you take away the cameras, lights and microphones, it's just three friends hanging out, sharing their passion for the craft beer culture, with the mission to change who is making it.
"We have 9,500 breweries in America. Fourteen are Black-owned, only 14," said Jennings, who works at Arbeiter Brewing Company.
Only one brewery in Minnesota is Black-owned, which is Montgomery Brewing.
"I think that a lot of people just see like an invisible barrier," said Davenport, who works at Dangerous Man Brewing.
They hope talking about their experience in the industry will help brew change.
"As long as you show them that the door is here and you can walk through it, and we're here, and we got an open hand for you," said Owens, who also works at Dangerous Man Brewing.
The three of them say a benefit to diverse breweries is more creativity in what you're consuming.
"When you get different perspectives from different walks of life, you get a whole different flavor pallet," said Owens.
Together they created a sour ale for Black History Month, called "Frequency Shift."
"A lot of the fruits that you'll find in that beer are native to Africa," said Davenport.
They hope their conversations are creating the "frequency shift" they want to see in this industry.
"If you voice your opinion, maybe somebody will listen," said Owens.
Their Black History Month beer, "Frequency Shift," will be released on Wednesday, Feb. 1.
They are hosting a launch party for the beer on Friday, Feb. 3 at Arbeiter Brewing Company in the Longfellow neighborhood in south Minneapolis.
