Black Is Beautiful, a Beer Collaboration to raise awareness for Realism Is Loyalty

On Friday, November 18 Broad Leaf Brewery + Spirits will release a benefit beer called Black Is Beautiful, a chocolate, cherry, coffee stout. Brewed with Michigan Balaton cherries, Ethiopian coffee and chocolate, this stout is overflowing with big aromas and bold flavors. It will be on tap at both Broad Leaf Brewery + Spirits Kentwood and Westside locations plus in cans to-go. A percentage of proceeds will be donated to Realism Is Loyalty, a Grand Rapids nonprofit organization whose goal is to provide support and mentorship to at-risk youth in and around the city’s core.

zzubreebym

Broad Leaf Brewery + Spirits teamed up with San Antonio based Weathered Souls Brewing Company and Grand Rapids’ Black Calder Brewing Company to brew this beer named for the social justice initiative, Black Is Beautiful, founded by Weathered Souls co-founder Marcus Baskerville. 

According to Baskerville, “Black Is Beautiful was initiated as a response to the 2020 killings of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd. Much like our beer brand Weathered Souls, this beer seeks to advocate for equity and inclusion, particularly for people of color, by fundraising for charitable organizations across the country.”

Black Calder Brewing and Broad Leaf Brewery + Spirits have partnered on many beers since 2020 but this 3-way collaboration is especially meaningful for the breweries. Terry Rostic, co-owner of Black Calder Brewing said they joined this collaboration because “…To be able to make a dope beer and give back to a community that has given so much to me was a no brainer. Realism Is Loyalty is a great organization that cares about the people and helps create opportunities and second chances while protecting and uplifting the community. Brewing with our Brewery Vivant family and connecting with Marcus from Weather Souls was the icing on the cake. This collaboration and the community good behind it is what the craft beer industry is all about.”

Terry Lancaster, head brewer at Broad Leaf who led the brewing process remarks, “This exciting collaboration proves that beer can also be a force for good by serving to put resources into the hands of people working with social justice issues both around the country and here in our own community.”

Realism is Loyalty was chosen as the benefit partner because of the positive impact the organization is having on the lives of so many Grand Rapidians. Their mission is to empower, encourage and strengthen youth in spite of story, system or choice. They work specifically with high and/or at-risk youth, in the core Grand Rapids area while focusing on relatability and relationships from an understanding of lived experience.

Cans of the beer have a QR code that links purchasers directly to the Realism is Loyalty website (https://www.realismisloyalty.org/) where they can learn more about the organization and consider making a direct donation in addition to the donation that Broad Leaf will make.

Who we are

Brewery Vivant is the world’s first LEED® certified commercial microbrewery and a Certified B Corporation. We brew beer in the European tradition with the addition of American ingenuity. At our pub we strive to elevate the enjoyment of beer & food and the sense of community in everything we do. Brewery Vivant prides itself on being a destination brewery in the “Beer City” of Grand Rapids. Vivant brands are distributed throughout the State of Michigan.

Broad Leaf Brewery + Spirits is a certified B Corp that focuses on flavor exploration. We stay on the cutting edge with ongoing experimentation to explore new flavors, styles & techniques.  There is a constant curiosity to try new things, find new ingredients to push boundaries in beer, spirits, food & beyond.

Weathered Souls Brewing is based in San Antonio, Texas with a newly opened second location in Charlotte, North Carolina. The company’s ultimate goal is to deliver high-quality beers, upscale food and cocktails — and to create an environment where everyone is welcome. 

Black Calder Brewing Company was established to make great beer and provide a platform for innovation, art, culture and inclusion through collaborations in the craft beer industry. As a Black Owned Brewery, our craft will be Brewed for the Culture, but our motto is simple. We make dope beer for dope people and always do it for the culture.