While known for its welcoming, inclusive nature, the brewing industry still skews largely Caucasian. According to industry trade organization, the Brewers Association, white employees account for 76.2% of production staff and 89% of brewers at American brewing companies. Recognizing both the need for more equitable representation and the opportunity San Diego’s accommodating climate provides, Ballast Point Brewing is launching an annual Brewing for Diversity Scholarship in coordination with UC San Diego Extension’s Brewing Certificate Program.
“Last year, when the national equality movement started gaining more and more momentum as a vehicle for real change, I felt compelled to do something and approached our new owners with a few ideas on how Ballast Point could make a difference,” says the company’s Community Engagement Manager Misha Collins. “They were just as passionate about making a difference as I am. As a team, we’re empowered to catalyze change and our Brewing for Diversity Scholarship is a great example of this.”
Launched in 2013, UC San Diego Extension’s 12-to-18-month certificate program focuses on brewing technology and fermentation sciences with the goal of equipping graduates with technical skills to enter the beer industry. It is taught by instructors plucked from local breweries, a number of which have hailed from Ballast Point, and consists of part-time, evening and weekend sessions. In addition to having full tuition and related program fees covered by Ballast Point, scholarship recipients will have the opportunity to complete a cross-disciplinary internship at the company’s brewing facilities in Miramar and Little Italy to gain real-world experience to further bolster their résumés for pursuit of career opportunities.
“We’re hoping this initiative will encourage those from diverse cultures and backgrounds who are curious about the brewing industry to pursue opportunities in the field, and by doing so, help to open future pathways for those with similar challenges,” says Collins. “Our goal is to provide each recipient with a well-rounded experience that builds a solid foundation and sets him or her up for future success at our brewery, a neighboring brewery or in their own brewing endeavor. We want everyone to see the recipient’s path and realize they have an opportunity, too.”
The scholarship is available to prospective and current program enrollees 21 years of age or older. The application period is February 8 to May 16. To be considered, enrolled Extension students must email Program Manager Kyle Wiskerchen, while new students are directed to apply via the scholarship webpage. Applicants will be asked to provide a personal statement describing how they have positively impacted their community, school or both, and what sort of impact they hope to make in the beer industry. Following a review of all applications, finalists will be interviewed by Ballast Point and UC San Diego Extension personnel along with members of the San Diego Brewers Guild’s Inclusion Committee.
“There is a lot of work to be done to attract a more diverse group of students and future brewing industry leaders. We’ve been taking a look at ourselves and our relationship to the community and its diverse population,” says Wiskerchen. “UC San Diego Extension couldn’t be more thrilled to partner with a local industry leader in Ballast Point to offer this scholarship to a student who champions inclusivity and diversity in their own community. We believe this partnership will benefit students in that they will not have to worry about the financial burden of obtaining a formal brewing education, while also receiving a large network of support and mentorship from industry leaders.”
The Brewing for Diversity Scholarship is a significant undertaking, but for Ballast Point it’s just the first of numerous initiatives the company intends to put forth to facilitate positive change at home.
“As our home for 25 years now, we’re focusing our efforts on San Diego and are looking for ways to support and engage with our community at every level,” says Collins. “Certainly with UC San Diego and the scholarship, but also through various community events, collaborations, partnerships and fundraising efforts that we are actively seeking and defining.”
Success Stories
The following are some of UC San Diego Extension’s Brewing Certificate Program graduates who have gone on to further diversify the brewing and distilling industries.
- Holly Doner, Brewer, AleSmith Brewing
- Fabio Columbo, Founder, Broken City Brewing
- Jenny Freeman Brewer, Stone Brewing
- Sean Hallman, Owner, (black-and-veteran-owned) Shadow Ridge Spirits
- Demetra Hamil, Brewer, Amplified Ale Works
- Guillermo Lopez, Brewer, Little Miss Brewing
- Joaquin Lopez, Founder, Cerveza Fortuna
- Samantha Olson, Brewer, 13 Point Brewing, Bivouac Ciderworks, Mujeres Brew House
- Erika Raye, Scientist, White Labs
- Alexa Romasco-Boone, Scientist, White Labs
- Ramiro Salas, Brewer, Ketch Brewing
- Brittney Sinha, Tasting Room / Retail Operations Manager, Bitter Brothers Brewing, Mikkeller Brewing San Diego
- Jonathan Somera, Quality Manager, Port Brewing / The Lost Abbey