The National Black Brewers Association (NB2A) will be attending the 2024 Craft Brewers Conference (CBC) in Las Vegas, from April 20-24, highlighting its time at the conference with its first “State of the Black Brewery” press conference on April 24th. This year will mark the NB2A’s most significant presence at CBC since its founding in December 2022. It will focus its appearances on conveying the quantifiable business value that increased diversity can bring to the beer industry as a whole, using data from 2021-2023, and its efforts to grow beer’s overall consumer base.
In addition to the press conference, NB2A member Beny Ashburn, “The Dope” CEO and Co-Founder of Crowns & Hops Brewing Co., will interview Fawn Weaver, CEO of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, for the CBC keynote session.
The NB2A will also present its first CBC Tap Takeover, hosted by Beer Zombies Brewing Co. and featuring 20+ beers from Black-owned NB2A member breweries across the country. The Tap Takeover will feature Black Is Beautiful creator Marcus Baskerville, Head Brewer and co-owner of Weathered Souls Brewing, discussing the initiative’s second iteration, its impact, and meaningful collaboration within the industry.
NB2A Presence at the 2024 Craft Brewers Conference:
First “State of the Black Brewery” Press Conference
Date: Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Time: 4:00-5:00 pm PDT
Location: Bassano Meeting Room, The Venetian Las Vegas
Speaker: Kevin Asato, Executive Director, NB2A; Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman and members of the Las Vegas City Council will also be in attendance
CBC Keynote Session
Title: A Conversation with Fawn Weaver: Leadership and Radical Decisions. The Story of Uncle Nearest and Creating Opportunities
Date: Monday, April 21, 2024
Time: 9:30 am PDT
Location: Ballroom F&G, The Venetian Las Vegas
Speakers: Fawn Weaver, CEO, Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey and Beny Ashburn, “The Dope” CEO and Co-Founder, Crowns & Hops Brewing Co. (interviewer)
NB2A Tap Takeover
Date: Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Time: 6:00-10:00 pm PDT
Location: Beer Zombies Brewing Co. – 831 W. Bonanza Road Las Vegas, NV
Speakers: Marcus Baskerville, Head Brewer and Co-Owner, Weathered Souls Brewing Co. and Chris Jacobs, Owner, Beer Zombies Brewing Co.
Currently, less than 1% of craft breweries in the U.S. are owned by African Americans and there is no single entity to help African American brewers and brewery owners with their specific needs and issues. Governed by a dynamic Board of Directors composed of the most experienced and successful Black brewery owners and brew masters across the country, the National Black Brewers Association (“NB2A”) was formed as a 501c6 membership-based non-profit organization to:
- Promote the Black brewing community as a first-of-its-kind organization.
- Increase the number of African Americans in the brewing industry at all levels of production, especially ownership and brew master.
- Exercise political influence by developing and advocating for effective policy; and
- Foster an understanding about the history and legacy of African American brewing in the United States.
For more information on the National Black Brewers Association and membership, visit https://www.nationalblackbrewersassociation.org/membership.
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