NEWS & EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
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Craft Brewers Conference | Indianapolis, Indiana
April 28 - May 1, 2025
Join us in Indianapolis for the largest industry event and trade show of the year!
NB2A Members get Early-Bird Pricing through March 31st. Contact us for more details.
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CBP Connects | Charlotte, NC
June 9 - June 11, 2025
An intimate workshop in Charlotte, NC designed to help Craft Beer Professionals better themselves both personally and professionally.
Half Networking, Half Education
Workshops, Nightly Receptions, Trade Show, & more
NB2A Members have access to a limited number of complimentary tickets provided by CBP. Contact us for details.
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Crafted For Action Craft Beer Conference | Atlanta, GA
June 18 - 22, 2025
The NB2A is a proud partner of the 2025 Crafted For Action Conference.
Crafted for Action offers a virtual track with exclusive panels, workshops, and networking opportunities, so you can experience the conference from anywhere. But if you can join us in person, get ready for an immersive experience at Lee + White—complete with craft beverage tastings, live events, and unparalleled access to industry leaders.
From now until March 31st, NB2A members will receive 50% off general admission registration! Contact us for more details.
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Barrel & Flow | Pittsburgh, PA
August 9, 2025
Barrel & Flow has been voted Best Beer Festival by US Today's 10 Best four years in a row!
More than just a beer festival, Barrel & Flow celebrates art, music, and the Black community.
BLOG POSTS
NB2A IN THE NEWS
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Black Joy Parade Black Beer Garden
In celebration of Black History Month, the NB2A sponsored the Black Beer Garden, hosted at Draught Season at the Oakland Black Joy Parade. The beer garden included: Full Circle Brewing, Oak Park Brewing Co., Hella Coastal, Urban Roots Beer, Brewing with Brothas, and Crafted For Action.
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The NB2A Announces the 2025 Board of Directors
The NB2A is excited to announce the new President of the Board of Directors, Jon Renthrope. As a member of the founding board, Jon has shown tremendous dedication and his expertise in business development will be a great asset to NB2A members and the Black brewing community at large. Also joining the board of directors are two new members: Annie McGinnis and Rich Bloomfield.
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New Program Donates Equipment to Black and Brown Brewers | Hop Culture
October 10, 2024 | Grace Lee-Weitz
Equipment and capital are the two highest barriers to entry in the craft beer industry, especially for underrepresented communities. To help Brewers of Color overcome these hurdles, the National Black Brewers Association (NB2A) has introduced the 2024 Brewing Equipment Donation Grant Program.
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NB2A Facilitates Equipment Donations from Russian River to Cajun Fire, Optimism to Montclair | The Brewer Magazine
The National Black Brewers Association (NB2A) is proud to announce 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, LA, a 20BBL brewhouse generously donated by Russian River Brewing Company of Santa Rosa, CA. Additionally, Montclair Brewery in Montclair, New Jersey, will receive a packaging line donated by Optimism Brewing in Seattle, WA.
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Cajun Fire and Montclair Brewing Awarded NB2A Equipment Grants | Brewbound
August 19, 2024 | Zoe Licata
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, LA, a 20BBL brewhouse generously donated by Russian River Brewing Company of Santa Rosa, CA. Additionally, Montclair Brewery in Montclair, New Jersey, will receive a packaging line donated by Optimism Brewing in Seattle, WA.
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'We need action': Portland symposium, film premier to benefit National Black Brewers Association | Mainebiz
July 15, 2024 | Renee Cordes
Members of the National Black Brewers Association are coming this weekend to Portland for a symposium and the Main premeir of a film about the Black experience in the craft beer industry
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Q&A: Kevin Asato, Executive Director of the National Black Brewers Association | Beer & Brewing - BrewingIndustryGuide.com
July 18, 2024 | Jamie Bogner
The NB2A’s executive director shares the vision and mission driving this new industry group, which aims to reduce inequity and expand opportunities while growing the cultural footprint of craft beer.
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Bringing Culture to the Cup: NB2A Revolutionizes Craft Beer | PorchDrinking.com
June 11, 2024 | Julie Rhodes
Craft beer has always been a staple of local communities, serving as a gathering point for people to share stories over a pint. The sense of belonging and support from local patrons fueled the growth of craft beer during its peak years. However, there’s a significant opportunity yet to be fully realized—the untapped potential of Black consumers and brewers in the craft beer industry.
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LIVE from CBC (Mini-Episode #2) | The BrewDeck Podcast
April 23, 2024 | Country Malt Group
In this episode the Kevin Asasto and Chris Harris sat down with Country Malt Group's The BrewDeck Podcast.
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Welcome to Craft Brewing's 'Could Be Worse' Era | VinePair
April 26, 2024 | Dave Infante
In this Hop Take Dave highlights the presence and activities of the National Black Brewers Association, including the 'State of the Black Brewer' press conference.
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NB2A Leaders Discuss Challenges on Quest to Expand Black Brewery Ownership | Brewbound
March 22, 2024 | Jessica Infante
Leaders of the National Black Brewers Association (NB2A) shared their experiences as Black brewery owners during the final Tap Talk of the California Craft Beer Summit last week in Sacramento.
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NB2A included in Top 15 People to Watch in Craft Beer in 2024
Check out Hop Culture's Top 15 People to Watch in Craft Beer in 2024!!! Their list highlights the voices changing craft beer for the better every day; those folx go beyond just clocking in every day and making beer.
Cheers to everyone on the list and shout out to the NB2A members including our Executive Director Kevin Asato, who were included as changemakers of the industry: Crowns & Hops, Peoples Republic of South Central & Vine Street Brewing!
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The Wonderful World of Women Brewers | Shondaland
October 19, 2023 | Valentina Valentini
Brewing was an ancient female-led profession, but it’s been male-dominated for far too long. These women are taking back the brewing world and helping to foster a more inclusive industry.
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National Black Brewers Association Secures Black Brewers Day Across 16 States | The Brewer Magazine
October 19, 2023
This year National Black Brewers Association successfully introduced Black Brewer’s Day, a day dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the rich heritage and contributions of Black beer brewers throughout American history. Efforts this year have resulted in 16 cities within the United States recognizing this day as an official holiday set to be observed annually on October 10. This significant occasion commemorates a pivotal moment in brewing history, paying homage to the trailblazers who have shaped the industry.
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Industry Celebrates National Black Brewers Day | ProBrewer
October 10, 2023 | Tom McCormick
Less than 1% of craft breweries in the U.S. are owned by African Americans. The National Black Brewers Association (NB2A) was recently formed as a membership-based non-profit organization to help African American brewers and brewery owners with their specific needs and issues. Today we celebrate the first National Black Brewers Day, the day in 1970 that Peoples Brewing Company became the first Black-owned brewery in U.S. history. NB2A Program Manager Alana Koenig-Busey discusses with ProBrewer co-founder Mark Silva the details of this monumental day and more about the mission of NB2A.
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What to know about National Black Brewer's Day and this weekend's Peoples Beer Fest | KCRA 3 News
October 10, 2023 | Brandi Cummings
Tuesday is the inaugural National Black Brewer’s Day. It’s a day dedicated to recognizing the heritage and contributions of Black beer growers throughout history.
Rodg Little, the co-founder of Oak Park Brewery and an advisory board member of the National Black Brewers Association, said the day came about through having conversations with other Black brewers in the industry.
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National Black Brewer's Day: Honoring the Legacy of Trailblazers | Shana Was Here
October 5, 2023 | Shana Lee
Set to be observed annually on October 10th, this day serves as a powerful tribute to the trailblazers who have left an indelible mark on the brewing industry.
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GABF to Feature Black Brewers | 9News Denver
September 21, 2023 | 9news.com
This year marks the first time the Great American Beer Festival will highlight Black brewers in an effort to encourage more Black and brown owners in Colorado.
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GABF spotlights Black brewers in special section at this year’s beer festival | The Denver Post
September 19, 2023 | Tiney Ricciardi
Members of the National Black Brewers Association will serve in a pavilion for BIPOC beer makers, many for the first time
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California To Call October 10 ‘National Black Brewers Day’ | The Brewer Magazine
September 5, 2023 | NB2A
Earlier this week, the California State Senate, led by Senator Steven Bradford, voted unanimously to approve a resolution from the National Black Brewers Association to create a National Black Brewers Day.
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How the National Black Brewers Association is Changing the Landscape of the Brewing Industry | Blavity
August 24, 2023 | Martie Bowser
Beer is a conversation starter, and Marcus Baskerville and the National Black Brewers Association want more Black people to do the talking.
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Black Brewers Unite | Style Weekly
August 23, 2023 | Ian M. Stewart
Friday event at Virginia Museum of History and Culture to explore “Brewing in the Black community: From African origins to the craft’s future.”
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National Black Brewers Association Expands Black Ownership | The Black Wallstreet Times
August 21, 2023 | Eddie Washington
“From the earliest civilizations, the African civilizations have been a part of literally some of the first dialogues of brewing,” Asato told The Black Wall Street Times.
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National Black Brewers Association to Have 1st Membership Drive at Barrel & Flow Fest | The Brewer Magazine
August 9, 2023 | NB2A
The newly formed National Black Brewers Association today announced its attendance at the 2023 Barrel & Flow Fest, the first Black arts and craft beer festival held in Pittsburgh, PA.
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Black is Beautiful, The Biggest Beer Collaboration Project Ever, Is Coming Back | Forbes
August 4, 2023 | Hudson Lindenberger
One of the most significant social initiatives ever launched in the alcohol industry, Black is Beautiful, is making a comeback three years after it rallied craft brewers across the globe to share its inspiring message.
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Three New Black-Owned Breweries Diversifying the Texas Beer Scene | Hop Culture
July 29, 2023 | Ruvani de Silva
According to the Brewers Association, Black brewery owners still make up just one percent of the industry, but we’re seeing the tides shift. The National Black Brewer’s Association (NB2A) formed in May. Now, the opening of a trio of fully Black-owned breweries in three of Texas’ four largest cities marks a significant milestone for diversity in the state’s beer scene and nationwide.
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Black is Beautiful Vol. 2 to benefit National Black Brewers Association | Craft Brewing BusinessList Item 3
June 21, 2023 | Chris Crowell
Black is Beautiful is probably the most influential such collab initiative, launched by Weathered Souls Brewing in 2020 in support of equality and social justice reform. The Weathered Souls team just sent word that Black is Beautiful is back for Volume 2.
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Black is Beautiful Volume 2 Launches Globally to Support the National Black Brewers Association | Black EnterpriseList Item 4
June 21, 2023 | Black Enterprise Editors
Black is Beautiful, an influential initiative launched by Weathered Souls Brewing CO in 2020 in support of equality and social justice reform, is making a resounding comeback. This time, the movement stands firmly alongside the National Black Brewers Association, with 100% of the proceeds supporting the newly launched organization in its efforts to foster inclusivity and black representation in the brewing industry.
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14 Black-Owned and Black-Led Breweries You Should Know | Gear PatrolList Item 2
June 19, 2023 | Ryan Browler
Less than 1% of the nearly 8,500 craft breweries in American are Black-owned. That needs to change.
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The National Black Brewers Association's Director, Kevin Asasto | Beervana BlogList Item 1
June 6, 2023 | Jeff Alworth
Introducing the National Black Brewers Association's new Executive Director, Kevin Asato.