The beer industry faced a cataclysm when Brienne Allan asked the craft beer world, “What sexist comments have you experienced?” From there, a global reckoning led to hirings, firings, public callouts, cancellations, and—very often—silence or denial. Some changes ended up being temporary, others permanent, but what really changed since then?

This panel will feature people who were on the front lines of the biggest controversy craft beer has ever seen, as well as those who have kept up the discussion that started in May 2021. We’ll quickly review what happened, but focus on what’s happened since then and what we think could (and should) happen in the future, discussing more recent controversies such as the Bud Light and Dylan Mulvaney debacle. Is beer ever just beer? What are the risks of a brewery opting out of taking stances on politics, human rights, and equity? What were some long term benefits for the industry, as well as the emotional, financial, and mental costs? And once you’ve been “canceled,” is redemption ever possible?

Jen Blair is an Advanced Cicerone and National BJCP beer judge. She is the Exam Manager for the Cicerone Certification Program and co-host of False Bottomed Girls, a podcast about beer and brewing. Her work in training and empowering people historically excluded from beer judging and other beer spaces has earned her recognition as a Good Beer Hunting 2021 Signifier and well as inclusion on the 2022 VinePair 50, Wine Enthusiast Future 40, and Imbibe's Top 75 lists.

Beth Demmon (moderator) is an award-winning, San Diego-based freelance writer whose work has appeared in publications like The Washington Post, Food & Wine, Civil Eats, Saveur Magazine, PUNCH, and many more. She is currently the beverage columnist at San Diego Magazine and regular podcast host for Good Beer Hunting. Her Substack newsletter Prohibitchin’ aims to amplify the voices of people working in and around craft beer, spirits, wine, and other beverage alcohol segments who may not get the recognition they deserve. Beth is also a Certified beer judge through BJCP, Certified Cider Professional through the American Cider Association, and member of the North American Guild of Beer Writers. The Beer Lover’s Guide To Cider: American Ciders for Craft Beer Fans to Explore is her first book. Learn more at bethdemmon.com.

Dave Infante is a two-time James Beard award-winning journalist who publishes Fingers, an independent newsletter about drinking in America. He also works as a contributing editor and columnist at VinePair, where he publishes the weekly beer-industry column Hop Take, and produces and hosts the beer history podcast Taplines. His reporting has appeared in The New York Times, HuffPost, The Guardian, MEL Magazine, Fast Company, PUNCH, and others. He can be found on Twitter (@dinfontay) and Instagram (@its.fingers). He lives in Richmond, Virginia. 

With a decade of experience in the alcohol industry, a passion for encouraging personal and professional growth, and her trademark wit, Ren Navarro is here to educate, enlighten, and engage. Since launching Beer. Diversity. in 2018, Ren has become a known name at breweries, wineries, distilleries, and beyond. She has given talks on diversity and inclusion at several colleges and countless festivals, panels, radio shows, and podcasts across the globe. In addition to being a diversity educator, she is a craft beer consultant for bars and restaurants in Ontario and an educator for countless businesses throughout the country.

THIS SESSION IS SUPPORTED BY:

MELISSA O’MALLEY