Brewers worldwide are joining an initiative to brew a special edition beer to raise awareness of the obstacles and injustices faced by Black people on a daily basis, to promote necessary changes, and raise funds for organizations helping to bring about such changes.
The initiative was launched by Marcus Baskerville, the founder and head brewer of Weathered Souls Brewing Company in San Antonio, TX.
As someone who has personally dealt with the abuse of power by the police, this recent turmoil the country is facing has hit home for me. As I write this, I contemplate how the country can move forward, how we as the people, can create change, and what it will take for everyone to move forward with a common respect for one another. For us, we feel that this is our contribution to a step.
Marcus Baskerville, Founder & Head Brewer @ Weathered Souls Brewing
Baskerville brewed Black is Beautiful, a beer which he planned to release as a show of support to those protesting for justice and equality for people of color. Challenged by fellow brewers to turn it into a collaboration -following the precedent set by such initiatives as Sierra Nevada’s “Resilience” campaign- Baskerville teamed up with KD Designs to design a label, established a website, and shared the recipe with the world.
The beer itself is a 10% abv stout, with Cascade hops, including a bittering addition of 45-50 IBUs. However, Baskerville stresses that building on the base recipe brewers should feel free to “please place your own spin and love into this.”
He asks that brewers.
- Use the label that has been provided
- Donate 100% of the beer’s proceeds to local foundations that support police brutality reform and legal defenses for those who have been wronged (Weathered Souls will be giving their proceed to the Know Your Rights Campaign)
- Choose their own entity to donate to local organizations that support equality and inclusion
- Commit to the long-term work of equality
At this time 962 breweries in all 50 states and 17 countries have signed on to brew Black is Beautiful.
Look for participating breweries near you at blackisbeautiful.beer.