The Brewers Association (BA) is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse craft brewing community for both brewers and beer lovers. Since the creation of its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee in 2017, highlights of the association’s work include publishing of a series of diversity and inclusion best practice resources for its members, engaging an ambassador to deliver seminars and keynotes for state brewers guilds, completing the industry’s first benchmark of brewery owner and employee diversity, creating the diversity and inclusion events grants program, helping to establish the association’s first code of conduct, and developing a mentorship program. The Brewers Association’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) department, established in 2020, leads the association’s internal and external efforts to cultivate positive change in the craft brewing community.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Resources
Research studies increasingly show that diversity and inclusion (or D&I) can help increase a business’ bottom line, drive innovation, attract more talent, attract more customers, and create more opportunities for growth.
The Brewers Association diversity best practices resources provide expert guidance to those businesses who wish to invest in diversity and inclusion, but may not know where to start. View these resources and other helpful articles in the Resource Hub.
The Brewers Association’s Equity and Inclusion Partner, Dr. J Jackson-Beckham, works with the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee to create these resources and provide expert guidance. Learn more about Dr. J and her upcoming speaking engagements here.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
DEI Committee Goals
(established 3/2021)
- Realize consistent year-over-year improvement on Brewers Association Equity Scorecard benchmarks.
- C2. Directly impact the start-up of 15 craft beer businesses or homebrew clubs led by underrepresented or traditionally marginalized groups annually.
- 3. Realize year-over-year progress toward national demographic representation in the craft beer industry workforce and individual AHA membership.
- 4. Increase the adoption of DEI best practices among BA and AHA membership through education, engagement, and advocacy.
- P5. Become the alcohol beverage sector with the most demographically representative consumer base.
Formed in 2017, the Brewers Association Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee is made up of a cross-section of industry members from varied backgrounds and regions and is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse craft brewing community for both brewers and beer lovers.
Subcommittees
The DEI Committee has four subcommittees that collaborate to create, steer, and implement a range of Brewers Association initiatives, including an ongoing series of DEI educational resources, seminars and keynotes for state brewers guilds, an industry benchmark of brewery owner and employee diversity, the DEI mini-grants program, the association’s code of conduct, and the Brewers Association mentorship program.
- The mentorship and professional development subcommittee works to improve the accessibility of the craft brewing community and strengthen pathways to professional success for members of underrepresented populations.
- The philanthropy and outreach subcommittee works to identify and facilitate opportunities to financially support individuals, organizations, and initiatives that are aligned with the DEI committee’s goals.
- The marketing and communications subcommittee advises the Brewers Association and its membership on inclusive marketing and communication practices. It works to amplify the voices and experiences of underrepresented populations and engage in inclusive storytelling about the craft brewing community.
- The DEI education subcommittee works to promote and facilitate education about DEI best practices and improve cultural competency among Brewers Association members and the broader craft brewing community.
If you are interested in serving on one or more subcommittees of the Brewers Association DEI committee, please complete this form.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Mini-Grants Program
The Brewers Association is proud to fund grants in support of local and regional events, media production projects, and educational and training initiatives that thoughtfully and intentionally promote and foster a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive craft beer community. The DEI Mini-Grants Program supports the strategic goals to:
- Increase access to and responsible appreciation of craft beer for underrepresented populations and those who have experienced barriers to accessing the broader craft brewing community.
- Promote employment and ownership opportunities in the craft brewing community for members of underrepresented populations and those in the craft brewing community who have experienced barriers to access and advancement.
- Celebrate the diversity of the craft brewing community and increase the visibility of underrepresented groups and experiences.
- Develop the cultural competence and increase the adoption of diversity, equity, and inclusion best practices among members of the broader craft brewing community.
- Leverage the strengths of the craft brewing community to fight injustice, eliminate disparities, and provide solutions to an array of challenges that impact those who produce and enjoy craft beer.
Learn more about this program and how to submit a proposal.
Craft Brewers Conference (CBC) Travel Grants Program
The Brewers Association is proud to fund travel grants to expand access to the nation’s premiere opportunity for craft brewing industry professionals to learn, connect with peers, and engage in personal and organizational development. The CBC Travel Grants program supports the strategic goals to:
- Bring new voices to the CBC speaker line-up.
- Enable more individuals in a wide variety of professional roles to attend the Craft Brewers Conference.
Mentorship Program
The Brewers Association envisions a craft brewing industry that provides unmatched opportunities for learning, professional development, employment, entrepreneurship, belonging, and empowerment to everyone regardless of identities, experiences, or perspectives.
The program seeks to increase the diversity of the workforce, leadership, and ownership of small and independent breweries by providing structured mentoring and advocacy to those experiencing barriers to access or advancement in the industry.
Learn more about this program and how to become a mentor or participant.
Diversity in the Craft Brewing Community Data
As a part of the 2018 Brewery Operations Benchmarking Survey (BOBS), the BA completed our first benchmark of brewery owner and employee diversity, both in terms of gender, as well as race and ethnicity.
View the Brewery Owner and Employee Diversity data here and analysis from BA Chief Economist Bart Watson in his post on Brewery Diversity Benchmarking: A Foundation for Change.
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