SLO Breweries Release Empowering “Black is Beautiful” Stout
This August, just by grabbing a cold one by SLO Brew or Liquid Gravity Brewing Company, you’ll be able to support NAACP San Luis Obispo County Branch in the fight to end racial injustices. All hail the Black is Beautiful Coconut Coffee Stout, a collaboration beer made by both breweries.
Several Central Coast breweries, including Firestone Walker Brewing Company in Paso Robles, and SLO Brew and Liquid Gravity in San Luis Obispo, are participating in the Black is Beautiful initiative. Started by Marcus Baskerville of Weathered Souls Brewing in San Antonio, Texas, the initiative asks breweries across the world to brew a stout named “Black is Beautiful,” donating 100 percent of the proceeds to a local organization supporting police brutality reform and legal defense for people of color. There are now over 1,000 breweries worldwide participating in the stout initiative.
Baskerville, a devout stout fan, wanted to create a grassroots movement to fight police brutality and racial injustices, and saw hometown breweries as an ideal network for spreading awareness in their own communities. “This is something that can happen in every community,” Baskerville said. “We’re setting up these breweries to create dialogue and communication, especially communicating with a community and donating to a community they wouldn’t normally donate to. It shows these communities that these breweries are inclusive, and it might bring a more diverse clientele through the door.”
Baskerville launched the initiative on June 1 by publishing a moderately high ABV base stout recipe designed to “showcase the different shades of black.” He encouraged brewers across the world to incorporate unique flavors and local ingredients in their own brews.
At 9 a.m. on June 25, brewers from SLO Brew and Liquid Gravity responded to Baskerville’s call, gathering at Liquid Gravity with sacks of hops, coffee and coconut to create their contribution. Together, they brewed 20 barrels of stout in honor of the Black is Beautiful initiative. Black is Beautiful Coconut Coffee Stout is a deep, rich 8% ABV stout featuring toasted notes of caramel and light bitterness from CTZ hops. At the end of the fermentation, SLO Brew and Liquid Gravity layered the brew with fresh-ground coffee and coconut to add depth of flavor.
“We are honored to join this collaboration,” said Brendan Gough, Liquid Gravity Brewing owner and head brewer. “The time is now to shine a light on injustice and begin moving forward towards a society filled with love, respect and equality.”
One-hundred percent of the proceeds will go to the NAACP San Luis Obispo County Branch to build political, educational, social and economic equality in the fight to eliminate racial discrimination.
“It’s humbling to be a part of such a powerful project,” SLO Brew principal Rodney Cegelski said. “We promise to keep listening to the conversation for change in commitment to the long-term work of equality.”
The Black is Beautiful Coconut Coffee Stout will be available for purchase as a draft and as a limited-release 16-ounce can at Liquid Gravity Brewing, SLO Brew Rock Brewery & Taproom, and The Carrisa.
If you’d like to brew the Black is Beautiful stout, start with Baskerville and Weathered Souls Brewing’s base recipe and add your own flair.
Liquid Gravity and SLO Brew will can Black is Beautiful on August 1. You can purchase drafts and cans in-person at SLO Brew Rock’s taproom or order cans for delivery across California on July 22 at Liquid Gravity’s online shop.
