Embracing Values: A Journey Towards a Safe and Discrimination-Free Beer Industry
Reflecting on three years of Brave Noise and the importance of social responsibility.
Almost three years have passed since the Brave Noise global beer collaboration and initiative advocating for a safe and discrimination-free beer industry launched as a response to a craft beer #MeToo movement in May 2021, which was ignited after Brienne Allan, owner and brewer of Sacred Profane Brewing and former production manager and brewer at Notch Brewing, shared her story about sexism in the workplace and posted to her Instagram asking, “What sexist comments have you experienced?” The result was a tidal wave of stories from women and non-binary beer professionals, shedding light on the issues of sexual harassment, abuse, and discrimination they face every day in the beer industry.
Vinepair: Sweeping Accusations of Sexism, Assault Rock the Craft Beer Industry
Toxic environments were exposed, CEOs were held accountable, and the industry was forced to confront its demons. Some took the necessary steps towards change, making public statements in solidarity, investing in DEI and bystander intervention training, hiring third-party HR services, and providing tools to report misconduct while others dismissed the reality of the situation.
Brave Noise resulted from a call to arms, demanding transparency, accountability, and action from breweries and beer-related businesses worldwide.
As we reflect on Brave Noise's journey since its inception on July 7th, 2021, the conversation around values and corporate social responsibility reverberates louder than ever.
For Women of the Bevolution, our core values include equity, accountability, transparency, resilience, collaboration, empathy, community, and constant learning. These values are the pillars upon which we build a foundation of support for women and non-binary beverage industry professionals and creators.
Do you feel social corporate responsibility is important to you?
Help us gather insights so we can better support beverage industry professionals.
*For those who submit their feedback, you’ll be entered for a chance to receive 1 of 50 Bevolution sticker packs.
In today's world, every decision carries weight. Every purchase, every vote, every narrative shared, shapes the fabric of our society. The power lies in our choices.
What matters to you? How do you spend your money, dedicate your time, and focus your energy? These questions are invitations to self-reflection and exploring what truly holds importance in our lives.
How can you harness your privilege as a superpower in the fight against injustice? Revolutionary civil rights activist Audre Lorde, self-described “black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet,” Audre Lorde said:
“Each one of us in this room is privileged. You have a bed, and you do not go to it hungry. We are not part of those millions of homeless people roaming America today. Your privilege is not a reason for guilt, it is part of your power, to be used in support of those things you say you believe. Because to absorb without use is the gravest error of privilege. The poorest one-fifth of this nation became 7 percent poorer in the last ten years, and the richest one-fifth of the nation became 11 percent richer. How much of your lives are you willing to spend merely protecting your privileged status? ls that more than you are prepared to spend putting your dreams and beliefs for a better world into action? That is what creativity and empowerment [are] all about. The rest is destruction. And it will have to be one or the other.” - Audre Lorde (Oberlin College commencement speech, May 29th, 1989)
Lorde’s questionnaire invites us to confront our privileges and find our voices:
THE AUDRE LORDE QUESTIONNAIRE TO ONESELF
What are the words you do not have yet? [Or, “for what do you not have words, yet?”]
What do you need to say? [List as many things as necessary]
“What are the tyrannies you swallow day by day and attempt to make your own, until you will sicken and die of them, still in silence?” [List as many as necessary today. Then write a new list tomorrow. And the day after.]
If we have been “socialized to respect fear more than our own needs for language and definition”, ask yourself: “What’s the worst that could happen to me if I tell this truth?”* [So, answer this today. And every day.]
From The Transform of Silence into Language and Action.
We do not need to become each other in order to work together. But we do need to recognize each other, our differences, as well as the sameness of our goals. Not for altruism. For self-preservation—survival.
- Audre Lorde
What values do you hold dear? How do you wield your influence? Where do you direct your energy? The power lies within each of us to shape a future where equity, justice, and compassion reign supreme.
For those seeking guidance on how to enact change, here are tangible steps to ignite action:
Share Your Values. Whether as an individual or a business, boldly proclaim your values and cultivate environments of safety and acceptance. Integrate these values into your daily interactions and operations, fostering spaces where everyone feels seen and respected.
For businesses, state your values and integrate them into your day-to-day operations. Post those values and a Code of Conduct in your establishment and on your online platforms. If you need some guidance on a Code of Conduct, Brave Noise collaborators HRuprise have a guide downloadable here or reach out to us at WOTB for additional resources and guidance.
For individuals, state your values on your social profiles or website or have a statement privately for you so you can reference it every time you second guess yourself or overthink. Here’s a helpful guide on Indeed to get you started.
Amplify Marginalized Voices. Elevate the stories and experiences of marginalized communities. But remember, storytelling is a responsibility. Share ethically, ensuring that voices are heard without exploitation or distortion. Here are some important reads on how to be an ally:
Educate Yourself and Others. Before sharing information, fact-check and engage with the narratives that shape our understanding of the world. Find resources that challenge assumptions and broaden perspectives, from ethical storytelling guidelines to anti-racism literature.
Get Involved. Grassroots organizations are the lifeblood of social change. Find opportunities to engage with initiatives that resonate with your values, whether locally, nationally, or globally. For reference, here are some we’ve collaborated with through our initiatives here.
In the spirit of Brave Noise, let us continue this journey of empowerment. By aligning our actions with our values, we can contribute to making the beer and beverage industry – and the world – a better place.
- Ash Eliot, Founder, Women of the Bevolution
How can you get involved with The Bevolution? Here are a few ways you can help us:
As a not-for-profit social enterprise, we depend on donations in order to provide programs, financial aid, and resources through our platform for women and non-binary.
Be a mentor! Get involved and support other women and non-binary beverage industry professionals through mentorship. This opportunity is part of the Bevolution Creators in Bev Grant Program.
Order a shirt and help us raise funds for our programs and to keep the Bevolution going.
Host a fundraiser to help us raise funds for our grant programs, relief fund and various initiatives! If you’d like to collaborate on an event, reach out to us below!
Hire us to curate a menu or event, consult or help you release a product or launch a collab! Learn more about how we can work together below.
Thank you for subscribing to The Bevolution! For more updates and resources check out our Instagram @WomenoftheBevolution and WomenoftheBevolution.com