Up To Date

Craft Beer Industry Being Pushed To Diversify Its Ranks

By Steve Kraske,

Published July 9, 2021 at 5:12 PM CDT

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Multiple glasses of different beers lined up on a bar top

Historically, the craft beer industry has consisted mainly of white, straight men.

The number of microbreweries in this country has grown tremendously in the last 15 years with more than 8,700 in operation in 2020. Still, nearly 90% of brewery owners are white, compared to less than 1% of owners who are Black. Beer historian Pete Dulin believes "when there's not diversity or inclusiveness in the industry, it can create problems for workers in that industry and limit the economic growth of the industry itself."

Pete Dulin, author of "Kansas City Beer: A History of Brewing In The Heartland"
Alana Broyles, creator, Eleven Three KC beer blog
Nigel Woodberry, host, "Beers with Nigel" podcast
Damon Arredondo, brewery consultant

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Steve Kraske

When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.

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Zach Wilson

As Up To Date’s senior producer, I construct daily conversations that give our listeners context to the issues of our time. I strive to provide a platform that holds those in power accountable, while also spotlighting the voices of Kansas City’s creatives and visionaries that may otherwise go unheard. Email me at zach@kcur.org.

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Reginald David

As an assistant producer on Up To Date, my goal is to amplify voices of people who serve as pioneers in their respective fields while shedding light on issues that affect underserved communities. I produce daily conversations to uplift and inspire the people of the Kansas City area to make the world a better place. You can reach me at reginalddavid@kcur.org.

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