A Calgary writer asks Alberta breweries to back up their Black Lives Matter commitments

In recent weeks, thousands of brands around the world have issued statements in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, but do these messages reflect corporate efforts to combat systemic racism, or are they mere platitudes?

One Calgary writer decided to find out by taking a closer look at one of his favorite industries: craft beer.

Last month, Sharon Ruyter reached out to 17 Alberta breweries that posted about Black Lives Matter or shared a black square on their social media channels during #BlackOutTuesday, a campaign to disrupt the workweek and protest police brutality on June 2. One of his friends reached out to another brewery, bringing the total to 18.

Ruyter asked what specific actions breweries are taking to support the Black Lives Matter movement and fight against anti-Black racism.

The 16 responses he received and published in a Google Doc reflect uncertainty about how best to respond to the movement in the industry.

“What's interesting is that a lot of them were really vulnerable,” Ruiter told CBC Edmonton on Friday. Radio is active.

Some brewery employees admit they don't know what to do to support the causes they've announced.

In his response, Haydon Dewes, co-owner of Calgary's Cabin Brewing Company, said employees felt “weird” about the message when the brewery as a company has never taken concrete steps to address racial inequality or discrimination. had plenty of opportunity to do so.'

Dews said he'll consider philanthropic efforts to show support, but he's still thinking about what the brewery can do and welcomed Ruyter's input.

Answers like that were frequent. Many said they were still wondering what to do, but thanked Ruyter for holding them accountable.

Increasing diversity and inclusion is one of Ruyter's hopes for the future of Alberta's beer industry.

“I hope more breweries take this as an opportunity to think about what they can do to make their spaces more inclusive,” he said.

According to the responses, some seem to be moving in that direction and supporting organizations that help black communities.

A group of Calgary breweries has come together to hire a consultant for advice on diversifying their white-dominated industry.

Some breweries have donated hand sanitizer to local Black Lives Matter events and donated money to nonprofits.

According to Outcast Brewing, Ruiter was told that the company's June fundraiser will go to a bail fund to help free Black Lives Matter protesters across the US.

A Calgary brewery has also signed up Black is a beautiful beginning, It's asking breweries to make a stout based on the suggested base recipe and donate 100 percent of the proceeds from the beer to local organizations fighting police brutality.

Edmonton's Alley Kat Brewing Company is participating in a co-brewing initiative with all proceeds from the beer going to the University of Alberta's Black Student Association and non-profit organization Action Dignity.

Ruyter said he won't be boycotting Calgary's Legend 7 Brewing and Railyard Brewing anytime soon, the two companies that haven't responded to his messages, but he likes to support local businesses that share his values.

“I'm more motivated to visit and support breweries that are doing great in the community because I believe in community organizations and community efforts and doing better no matter what community you're in,” he said.