If you want to feel more comfortable and happy, work on making the people around you more comfortable and happy.     

Kathy Freston

I stumbled upon this… ok.. I searched for a quote that captured the feelings that inspired the creation of The Black Beer Experience. As I sat in breweries with my wife I would look around at the crowd…

I’m going to pause here… if you’re Black you already know what I’m going to say, but indulge me lol.

 

 

 

 

I would look around and peep that we were one of the only Black people in the room. While I thoroughly enjoyed majority of my experiences, I did have to acknowledge that some melanin would liven up these spaces. There’s nothing like walking in and seeing your people, acknowledging them with the obligatory head nod, or the confirming eye contact that conveys — I got you. 

The Black Beer Experience started as a Meetup group that would meet monthly at different breweries. A group of Black people in a brewery, shooting the shit, and enjoying beer while doing so was so rewarding! The attendees were thankful as well. They’d wanted to venture out but didn’t desire or were afraid to go alone. After a year of successful meetups and having a few regulars I created a Facebook group that allowed for more consistent communication and an opportunity for random beer-related meetups. Today the group has members from all over the U.S. and a core group in Nashville that has bottle shares, private tastings, and meetups. So if you’re a Black beer drinker looking for a dope, diverse, and dedicated beer community, we’d love for you to join here.

 

 

 

 

BBE provided exactly what I was looking for and fostered my love of beer. There’s this phrase people often say, nerding out. It’s where you talk about a subject intensely and get very detailed. I realized I enjoyed talking about beer when a newbie (non-beer drinker, novice) would attend an event. In/by/through helping them find suggestions or discussing different styles, I would completely nerd out. It was in those moments that I converted from a craft beer drinker to a craft beer enthusiast.

At one point I almost got laid off and it forced me to consider my next moves… which I knew involved beer. I started reaching out to breweries and making connections. How could I make a move into the craft beer industry without knowing how it works? I also started to study craft beer. Luckily I was able to score a Cicerone sponsorship through the #Roadto100 initiative that I’m working through right now. I even started a craft beer podcast (shoutout to The Swig) because I wanted to educate through entertainment.

So that’s where I am now. Growing BBE, expanding the reach of The Swig, and creating a footing to eventually jump off the porch into my own craft beer career. I’m always looking for guidance and would love to hear your thoughts on my plight!

This blog will cover my journey as well as my thoughts of things happening in the industry.

My presence is a present. I’m the Marvelous Gift.

Shani Hadiya