Craft x EDU Launches F.R.E.E.D.O.M.

RICHMOND, VA – Craft x EDU announces the launch of F.R.E.E.D.O.M. (Fermenting Respect & Equity Every Day is Our Mission), a virtual homebrew club that breaks down barriers and builds connections through community service, social justice advocacy, and amateur beer, cider, wine, and mead making. “F.R.E.E.D.O.M. will be an important component of fulfilling Craft x EDU’s mission to champion inclusion, equity, and justice in the craft brewing community,” says the nonprofit’s executive director, J Jackson-Beckham. “We wanted to bring something unique to the traditional homebrew club model that opens doors for people who may not otherwise be drawn to participate.”

In addition to using an entirely virtual format, F.R.E.E.D.O.M. is unique for its focus on social justice advocacy, community service, and civic engagement. Every two months, F.R.E.E.D.O.M. members explore a topic related broadly to the work of social justice via a trio of virtual activations that describe the club’s motto–”Think. Brew. Act.” The club will host conversations with fermentation industry experts and accomplished social justice advocates, curate resources, and provide a platform for thoughtful discussion about each bi-monthly topic. Additionally, members will design collective fermentation projects and tasting experiences for each bi-monthly topic, share recipes and tasting notes, and provide a platform for brewers, and wine, cider, and mead makers at all levels of experience to share their skills and knowledge. Finally, club members will engage in collective community service projects, cultural enrichment opportunities, and social justice advocacy related to each bi-monthly topic and share their mission of respect and equity for all peoples at homebrew events and competitions. Early topics will include food waste, climate justice, indigenous brewing ingredients, and voting rights.

Current and aspiring homebrewers, wine, cider, and mead makers who are interesting in joining F.R.E.E.D.O.M. can take advantage of three exciting launch promotions. Annual membership dues will be waived for one year for the first 50 individuals who register for F.R.E.E.D.O.M. membership with the promo code “LAUNCH” before May 31, 2021 Additionally, new F.R.E.E.D.O.M. members who attend the Women’s International Beer Summit on April 24, 2021, will have the opportunity to win one of five deluxe homebrew or winemaking equipment kits. Finally, Craft x EDU will give away another five deluxe equipment kits to new F.R.E.E.D.O.M. members in conjunction with the Crafted For Action Craft Beer Con on May 10-14, 2021.

Craft x EDU’s F.R.E.E.D.O.M. equipment kit promotions are made possible by the generosity of New Belgium Brewing Company and BSG CraftBrewing.

About Craft x EDU

Craft x EDU (pronounced “craft by E-D-U”) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to champion inclusion, equity, and justice in the craft brewing community through education and professional development. Craft x EDU envisions a craft brewing community that reflects the vibrancy and diversity of American communities. We bring together aspiring and established craft beer professionals, craft breweries and members of allied trades, educational and vocational institutions, and enthusiastic craft beer drinkers who want to shape what it means to belong in the craft brewing community while making positive social change for disadvantaged and marginalized communities and individuals in the craft brewing industry and beyond.