The National Black Brewers Association (NB2A) recently announced the recipients of its 2024 Brewing Equipment Donation Grants. This significant initiative, aligned with the NB2A’s mission to empower Black brewery owners and foster diversity within the craft beer industry, has awarded Cajun Fire Brewing in New Orleans, Louisiana, a 20-bbl brewhouse generously donated by Russian River Brewing Co. of Santa Rosa, California. Additionally, Montclair Brewery in Montclair, New Jersey, will receive a packaging line donated by Optimism Brewing Co. in Seattle, Washington.
The NB2A was founded to address the systemic barriers that Black brewers face, including limited access to capital and resources necessary to thrive in the industry. Its Equipment Donation Grant Program was launched this year as a tangible step towards breaking down these barriers, providing Black-owned breweries with the tools they need to maximize productivity and sustain their businesses. From May through June of 2024, a dedicated task force carefully reviewed applications from passionate breweries, selecting recipients based on criteria designed to identify those who could most benefit from these life-changing donations.
“Our equipment donation program actually began last year in an unofficial capacity,” explained Kevin Asato, Executive Director of the NB2A. “When Triumph Brewing offered us a brewhouse they no longer needed, asking if we knew of a Black brewery that could use it, it became clear just how much need there was. We didn’t just know of one brewery—we knew of many. This highlighted a critical issue: most Black breweries in the country are forced to operate under a contract brewing model, where another brewery uses their recipes to create their beers. This is often due to the systemic challenges Black entrepreneurs face in accessing the capital needed to invest in their own equipment and facilities.”
The success of last year’s informal donation to Harlem Brewing, which enabled them to move forward with their plans for Harlem Brew South in Rocky Mount, NC, inspired the NB2A to formalize the Equipment Donation Grant Program. The generosity of Triumph Brewing sparked a movement, leading to the incredible support from Russian River and Optimism Brewing this year.
“Triumph’s generosity was a catalyst that encouraged other breweries to consider how they could contribute to this vital cause, leading to the creation of our official Brewing Equipment Donation Grants,” continued Asato. “We are deeply grateful to Russian River and Optimism Brewing for their commitment to supporting the next generation of Black brewers. This program is more than just about donating equipment; it’s about advancing our mission to create a more equitable and inclusive craft beer industry.”
This program is more than just an equipment donation; it is a powerful reminder of the collective strength within the brewing community to lift each other up and create lasting change.
Russian River equipment donation grant to Cajun Fire
Cajun Fire will receive a 20-bbl brewhouse from Russian River that had been used for more than 20 years to brew its beers, including the iconic Pliny the Younger and Pliny the Elder. Earlier this year, it was used to brew the 103rd batch of Pliny the Younger.
Founded in 2011, Cajun Fire Brewing Co. is a pioneering African American-owned brewery based in New Orleans, LA. With a mission centered on brewing for socioeconomic change, Cajun Fire has been a catalyst for community development and cultural enrichment through its unique craft beers, garnering national recognition for its commitment to diversity, innovation, and quality in the brewing industry.
As Cajun Fire nears its 13th year of operations, the new brewhouse will support production increases both domestically and abroad, helping the brewery expose more people to its premium beers. This donation is expected to enhance the brewery’s capacity and operational efficiency, marking a significant milestone in its growth trajectory.
“I am honored and grateful to receive the Brewing Equipment Donation Grant from the National Black Brewers Association,” expressed Jon L. Renthrope, CEO of Cajun Fire Brewing Co. “This invaluable support will empower my family-owned brand to expand our brewing capabilities and further our mission of ‘Brewing for socioeconomic change one pint at a time.’ The impact this consideration and donation will have on the communities we serve will be truly exceptional and will ultimately aid in our organization’s efforts in the creation of pathways of generational wealth. I am beyond excited about the possibilities that this equipment will unlock for our brewery operations and our ability to scale. We are truly appreciative of Vinnie and Natalie Cilurzo’s generosity and continued partnership with the National Black Brewers Association..”
Longtime supporters of the NB2A, Russian River co-owners Natalie and Vinnie Cilurzo saw their brewhouse as a way to help the organization in an even more tangible way.
“Natalie and I are thrilled to be shipping our old 20BBL brewhouse to Jon Renthrope at Cajun Fire Brewing,” commented Vinnie Cilurzo. “Anyone that has opened or owned their own business knows that along the way you need some help from others as well as a little luck. Over the 30 years I have been in the beer business, there have been plenty of friends and acquaintances who have helped me and our business. It just felt like the right thing to do to pay it forward with our old brewhouse. I also hope that us donating our old brewhouse will inspire others to maybe take the same steps as they upgrade equipment. We want Jon to know we are here to support him with any help he and his team may need as they reinstall it and get going on the first brews on our old equipment. Maybe even one day Natalie and I can get out for a collaboration with Cajun Fire.”
Optimism equipment donation grant to Montclair
Montclair Brewery, a family-owned craft brewery established in Montclair, New Jersey, in 2014, was chosen to receive a canning line from Optimism Brewing. Known for its diverse and culturally inspired beer offerings, Montclair has been a pillar in its community since its founding, fostering local collaborations and supporting various social causes.
The brewery is in the midst of an expansion, with the goals of doubling its system size and tripling its production capacity. Cofounders Denise-Ford Sawadogo and Leo Sawadogo are also working on a second New Jersey location where the donated canning line will be implemented. Their new equipment will support the tripling of its production capacity, enabling the brewery to pursue additional markets and significantly broaden its distribution reach.
“Knowing that the NB2A’s main mission is to empower and support the growth and development of Black-owned breweries, and now being able to tangibly benefit from that makes me proud to be a part of NB2A,” commented Leo Sawadogo. “‘I’ve already promoted the benefits that the organization offers and now I can speak about it from a more personal perspective.”
Optimism Brewing, operating in Seattle for more than eight years, had a leadership team aware of just how white craft beer is, but it wasn’t until the protests following George Floyd’s murder and the brewery’s support of Seattle’s Capitol Hill Occupied movement that they truly reflected on their privilege. Like many breweries, they brew “Black Is Beautiful” and “Reparations” beers, donate profits to BIPOC groups, host events to try to increase awareness, but while helpful, this level of giving alone will not create radical change.
“When I look at equipment that we own, I see our hard work, but I also see the embodiment of generations of advantages,” explained Gay Gilmore, co-founder of Optimism Brewing. “Sure, we could have sold our canning machine and put a much larger dollar amount on our balance sheet than what this tax deduction will net, but this equipment transfer will mean so much more to Montclair than those dollar signs ever will. We had a big leg up, and now we are giving someone else that same help. This is why partnering with the NB2A is so important. We could not have done this without the NB2A that volunteered their time to help publicize this donation, select a fitting brewery, and everything they do for Black breweries around the country.”
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