Over the last week, the craft beer industry has been reeling as more and more first-hand accounts of sexual harassment, abusive behavior, toxic workplaces and more have surfaced online. The primary source of these stories has been the Instagram page of Brienne Allen (@ratmagnet), Head Brewer and Production Manager at Notch Brewing in Salem, Massachusetts. Due to the sensitive nature of these accounts, many of the stories have been posted anonymously and cite perpetrators by name and, where applicable, include the brewing companies, bars or businesses they work at.
While interests across the country and in other countries have been named, a stunning number of allegations have been lodged against individuals within San Diego County’s beer scene. And according to Allen, there are many more allegations against San Diego businesses and their employees, as she has planned to devote this weekend exclusively to complaints involving this region.
While some of the individuals facing allegations have replied publicly, often apologizing to some degree or confirming truth to the accusations and vowing to do better, many have remained silent. In the case of companies, many, like Barrio Logan-based Thorn Brewing, whose staffers were named, launched internal investigations. And last week, Point Loma-based Modern Times Beer announced its CEO, Jacob McKean, was stepping down from that post (though he will remain with the company) and had terminated longtime employee Derek Freese, who apologetically acknowledged his behavior.
Online forums dedicated to San Diego’s beer industry have been alight with members of the industry and civilians alike discussing the allegations, culture, companies and named parties. Discussions have swayed from promising dialogs and shows of support to name-calling, berating and infighting. Even so, it is clear that the vast majority of brewery personnel are appalled, saddened and angered by the actions of colleagues and others who have discounted, degraded, assaulted and discriminated against females in their industry. They want to see people held accountability and have this behavior eradicated from the beer arena.
While their brewery has not been named, Kearny Mesa-based Kilowatt Brewing is getting involved with an attempt to bring the currently fragmented and ailing industry together. The company’s founders, COO Rachel Fischer and CEO Steve Kozyk (pictured above), are inviting members of the brewing community to take part in a collaborative brewing session to create a beer to support the local chapter of the Pink Boots Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to the education and advancement of women in the brewing industry. Kilowatt’s statement reads as follows:
The ongoing testaments from our fellow colleagues about sexism, racism, discrimination, harassment and assault within our industry should bring every one of us together to address and meet this head on. We all must take action. It starts with being cognizant of our own behavior. Reflect on your own thoughts and actions, hold yourself accountable. Check yourself, but also stand up and address comments, actions or microaggressions you witness from others. If we don’t treat each other always and consistently with the mutual respect and inclusivity that each one of us deserves, we’re never going to survive as an industry or even as a society. To everyone who has experienced assault, abuse, microaggressions, discrimination, racism, or sexism in the workplace, we stand in solidarity with you.
Our brewery would never have come into existence and would cease to function without the dedication, hard work, and daily contributions from our women co-founders, women owners, women management, and women tasting room and brewery teams. Our commitment will be ongoing with action to support the real change that must take place in our industry.
In support of everyone who’s experienced abuse, assault, microaggressions, discrimination, racism or sexism in the workplace, we’re brewing our Brut IPA named Brut Bader Ginsburg; the beer we’ve brewed in honor of Ruth Bader Ginsburg for past Pink Boots Society collabs, along with women and other allies in the San Diego craft beer community, with 100% of the proceeds donated to Pink Boots Society.
Kilowatt is inviting “all women and anyone who is an ally to inclusivity and equity in the workplace, and who is a member of the craft beer community” to take part, and they may do so by RSVPing online. The brew day will take place on June 16 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.