Bob Pease, president & CEO of the Brewers Association, the not-for-profit trade association representing small and independent American craft brewers on diversity and inclusion on the beer industry and the upcoming Craft Beer Rising festival.

Diversity and inclusion in the beer industry present opportunities for businesses to lead and succeed hence why I’m pleased to announce the launch of a new collection of best practice guides from the Brewers Association that lay the groundwork for addressing, creating and managing a diversity and inclusion programme.

Authored by Dr J. Nikol Jackson-Beckham, diversity ambassador for the Brewers Association, these resources are designed to help a business with everything from starting the conversation about why diversity matters to setting up a framework to assess the success of a diversity and inclusion programme.

Designed for breweries of all sizes, this five-part series provides expert guidance to those businesses who wish to invest in their diversity and inclusion effort but may not know where to start.  Each easy-to-follow resource averages a 20-30 minute read and builds in progression from the previous guide.  They are:Laying the Groundwork for Diversity and Inclusion

  • Best Practices for Implementing Diversity and Inclusion: Diversifying Your Fans
  • Best Practices for Implementing Diversity and Inclusion: Diversifying Your Hands
  • Best Practices for Implementing Diversity and Inclusion: Diversifying Your Brand
  • Assessing Your Efforts in Diversity and Inclusion

In other news, the Brewers Association will be exhibiting at Craft Beer Rising, London, 21-23 February with a wide range of innovative, high-quality American craft beers, most of which are rarely, if ever, seen in the UK.  Beers are being air-freighted to ensure they reach British beer lovers in optimal condition and a series of talks and tasting Masterclasses demonstrating the world-class quality of American craft beer will take place during the festival.

Through its Export Development Program the Brewers Association will represent between 15-18 small and independent American craft breweries pouring approximately 45-50 different beers running the gamut of beer styles from lagers and Kölsch through to Barrel-Aged imperial stouts and barley wines. Classic beer styles with a distinctive American twist along with hazy and juicy IPAs, IPA variants and a host of other styles will be available.  Many are new to the UK while others are much-loved favourites and we offer beers to suit the new-to-craft beer lover through to the connoisseur.

Now in our third year of attendance, Craft Beer Rising presents a good opportunity for the beer industry to interact with American craft beer and meet key importers and members of the trade.   The demand for American craft beer in the UK remains strong.  It is the second largest export market after Canada and accounts for 10.5 percent of all American craft beer exports, up 7.1 percent in 2017 (the latest figures available). There are now more than 7,000 small and independent breweries in America with another 2,000 in planning and the Independent Craft Brewer Seal has been adopted by more than  4,000 breweries since its launch in June 2017.

The Brewers Association produces a wealth of (free) resources to help the beer drinker enjoy and understand craft beer, which are available for download on www.BrewersAssociation.org or www.CraftBeer.com