How One Instagram Post Led to the Craft Beer Industry’s Own ‘Me Too’ Tidal Wave

The 2017 exposure of Harvey Weinstein’s years of sexual misconduct sent the movie industry spinning and launched the #MeToo movement. Now, recent allegations from female craft beer employees reveal the dark side of another industry that’s supposed to be fun. 

Brienne Allan has a job many only dream of. As a brewer and production manager at Notch Brewing in Salem, MA, she’s in an industry that has exploded over the past 15 years. The rise of craft has pushed beer’s creative potential, and shifting drinker demographics show the ever-expanding options appealing to all kinds of people. Then Allan, also happens to be part of the Pink Boots Society (a non-profit working to level the playing field for women in the beer world) posted on Instagram on May 11, calling for her fellow women in the craft brewing world to share their stories of sexism and harassment.

The result exposed the dark side of an industry many people view as a fun one. Allan’s open-call post ended up exploding into a nationwide movement, bringing in thousands of discrimination stories sent to Allan from around the country, many of which described how they left the industry because of poor treatment. A so-far unidentified source has begun organizing the allegations into one Google Docs spreadsheet.

Specifically, major accusations were leveled against well-known industry leaders like Shaun Hill of Vermont’s Hill Farmstead and Jean Broillet of Pennsylvania’s Tired Hands Brewing. Tired Hands announced yesterday that Broillet would be taking a step back from operations, while Hill Farmstead has so far remained quiet.

There’s also Jacob McKean, now-former CEO of San Diego-based Modern Times Beer. After being pinpointed as the subject of hundreds of allegations of inappropriate behavior with staff members, he posted a statement on Tuesday night announcing his departure from his role.

In addition to McKean’s behavior, Modern Times was accused of fostering a hostile work environment for staff members of color, while employee Derek Freese was also alleged to have grabbed someone’s crotch. Freese has been terminated.

It’s gone international too. Søren Wagner, the founder and head brewer of Copenhagen’s Dry & Bitter Brewing Company, submitted his letter of resignation on May 18 amid accusations of misconduct.

In its own response, the Brewers Association released what it calls “A Community Call to Action” earlier today, in a press release condemning “any act of assault, harassment, violence, bigotry, discrimination, or inequity.”

Specifically, the BA said they will add resources and speakers to address the subject at their annual Craft Brewers Conference (this September, in Denver). They also encouraged Association members to join WeVow, a sexual harassment prevention training specialist, in order to better educate their employees and promote more positive work environments.

It’s worth noting that this isn’t the first time the subject of harassment and discrimination in the craft beer industry has emerged. In 2019, for example, Ohio’s Actual Brewing ended up closing after multiple women came forward to accuse its founder, Fred Lee, of sexual assault.

The whole situation is disheartening for many to say the least, especially in an industry that’s supposed to be centered around a leisurely activity (making and consuming beer). However, the brewing world has no choice but to go forward.

*A note from the author*

As a beer writer and former bartender who happens to be female, I have to admit that I wasn’t shocked by any of the recent revelations. Just like with the Harvey Weinstein scandal and subsequent #MeToo movement, it seemed kind of weird that others were so stunned by the dirty secrets being uncovered. Well, maybe that’s part of the problem. 

As far as rampant sexism and sexual harassment in the food and beverage industry as a whole goes, it’s long been an open secret for many of us. Not too long ago, I was accustomed to shrugging things off as “that’s just the way things are” and felt I simply had to work harder to prove my worth in a world where my appearance was fair game for daily conversation, all of my superiors were male, and I had to take extra precautions with certain staff members known for aggressive tendencies around women. No, it’s not all men in this industry – there are a lot of good guys out there (and I also don’t think it’s okay to jump to conclusions when accusations are made. Let’s get as many facts as possible). But in my experience, there are unfortunately enough rotten apples who don’t even realize their actions are problematic thanks to a culture that has supported them until recently. The initial #MeToo movement was a good start towards change, and it’s perhaps why the craft beer industry so far appears to be responding well to the outpour of allegations rather than choosing the path of ignorance and denial. I believe more industries will have their moment of reckoning as we move forward as a society. Yes, it’s going to hurt for a while. It’s going to be tough. But eventually, we’ll all be better off.