Podcast summary and Notes on "link up beer"

Episode #147: The Ethics & Economics of Diversity in Craft Beer with Tiffany Alexis (Link Up / High Season Co. / LiquidxHappiness) | Adjunct Series

Some of you may be familiar with Link Up, a craft beer-focused non-profit organization that BAOS Co-Founded with their friends at 5e Baron. Tiffany and Cee were honoured to host a session at the 2023 Ontario Craft Brewers Conference in Niagara Falls, ON where they spoke on behalf of Link Up about the ethics and economics of diversity in craft beer. They covered why diversifying your workforce is an ethical decision (and it's just weird to walk into a room that doesn't represent the world outside the brewery), case studies and real-life examples of how diversity can directly lead to sales and positive brand engagement, some numbers that explain the revenue that breweries are missing out on by ignoring a diverse consumer base, and most importantly, applicable solutions for breweries to actively work towards diversifying their taprooms and staff. Many thanks to the OCB, CCBA, Jeff Talmey and Troy Burtch for inviting Link Up to speak. See you in Hamilton in 2023!

Session Slides HERE

BAOS Podcast

Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube | Website | Theme tune: Cee - BrewHeads

BAOS: Beer & Other Shhh Podcast

en-usNovember 01, 2023

diversity

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diversity and inclusion

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Episode #32: Link Up | Wellington Brewery with Karyn Boscariol

The penultimate week in Link Up's Series 6 brings us back to Ontario with one of the most legendary breweries in the province - Wellington Brewery! Karyn joined Tiff and Cee to chat about their pioneering work with Queen of Craft and creating more gender equality in craft beer, the demographic changes they've seen over the years as a result of their efforts, how they try to make craft beer more accessible and approachable to more people, and where she sees beer going from here. They cracked open Welly's Link Up American Pale Ale, at 5.4% it rocks Sorachi Ace, Sasquatch, Topaz and Amarillo in the boil, and it's hazy, tropical, crushable and citrusy. Cheers!

About the Link Up season:

We're back with a brand new season of BAOS Podcast, and this one is something very special and very close to us. We'll be focusing this entire season on Link Up, a non-profit started by the good folks behind Microbrasserie 5e Baron in Aylmer, QC and Tiffany and Cee here at BAOS and High Season Co. Our aim with this program is to help BIPOC from underrepresented communities learn about and enter the craft beer industry in essentially any area they wish - from a brewing apprentice to taking the Cicerone course for front-of-house opportunities, from hop farming to the yeast lab, from beer media to design and photography, we're here to help diversify an industry that is in dire need of it.

Link Up

Apply for the program via their website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

BAOS Podcast

Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube | Website | Theme tune: Cee - BrewHeads

BAOS: Beer & Other Shhh Podcast

en-usSeptember 20, 2023

diversity

beer

craft beer

diversity and inclusion

link up beer

Episode #31: Link Up | Noctem Artisans Brasseurs with Brian Pierce

The fourth week of Link Up's Series 6 brings us finally to Quebec with one of our fave breweries in La Belle Province, Noctem! Brian Pierce joins Tiff and Cee to chat about how their neighbourhood's demographics and diversity contribute to the vibe of their taproom, why they prefer to work with local non-profits to directly impact their community, and the importance of trying something new to bring in new blood. We cracked their Nano Hydra IPA, brewed with Hydra yeast from Escarpment Labs along with Strata and Citra hops for a light, flavourful and crushable 2.6% IPA. Cheers!

About the Link Up season:

We're back with a brand new season of BAOS Podcast, and this one is something very special and very close to us. We'll be focusing this entire season on Link Up, a non-profit started by the good folks behind Microbrasserie 5e Baron in Aylmer, QC and Tiffany and Cee here at BAOS and High Season Co. Our aim with this program is to help BIPOC from underrepresented communities learn about and enter the craft beer industry in essentially any area they wish - from a brewing apprentice to taking the Cicerone course for front-of-house opportunities, from hop farming to the yeast lab, from beer media to design and photography, we're here to help diversify an industry that is in dire need of it.

Link Up

Apply for the program via their website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

BAOS Podcast

Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube | Website | Theme tune: Cee - BrewHeads

BAOS: Beer & Other Shhh Podcast

en-usSeptember 13, 2023

diversity

beer

craft beer

diversity and inclusion

link up beer

Episode #28: Link Up | Great Lakes Brewery with Denise Brand and Cole Raiskums

The final week of Link Up Series 5 and a legendary Ontario brewery is bringing it home - Great Lakes! Tiff and Cee hung out with Denise and Cole to chat about their JEDI (Justice Equality Diversity Inclusion) initiatives, how they work super closely with all of their community partners to better build relationships and dedication from their team, the intentionality of all of their work, how they build events around their community collaborations, and how they're trying to get craft beer in more hands than ever. GLB dropped a fantastic beer and another Link Up first, a New England XPA (Xtra Pale Ale), with bright citrus vibes, perfect for the summer. This wraps another incredible series - see y'all in Series 6 this summer!

About the Link Up season:

We're back with a brand new season of BAOS Podcast, and this one is something very special and very close to us. We'll be focusing this entire season on Link Up, a non-profit started by the good folks behind Microbrasserie 5e Baron in Aylmer, QC and Tiffany and Cee here at BAOS and High Season Co. Our aim with this program is to help BIPOC from underrepresented communities learn about and enter the craft beer industry in essentially any area they wish - from a brewing apprentice to taking the Cicerone course for front-of-house opportunities, from hop farming to the yeast lab, from beer media to design and photography, we're here to help diversify an industry that is in dire need of it.

Link Up

Apply for the program via their website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

BAOS Podcast

Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube | Website | Theme tune: Cee - BrewHeads

BAOS: Beer & Other Shhh Podcast

en-usJuly 10, 2023

Episode #27: Link Up | MERIT Brewery with Aaron Spinney

The first brewery in Hamilton, ON to join in on one of Link Up's collaboration beer series is MERIT. A Hammertown fave, MERIT has always been the gold standard for diversity in craft beer so it was an honour to have them be a part of the initiative. Co-Founder and Head Brewer Aaron Spinney hung out with Tiff and Cee to chat about how diversity has been built into the fabric of the business, how both their menu and their beer reflect a number of cultures at all times, how they involve their team in company decisions and how breweries can introduce their products to new communities. MERIT delivered a 6.2% IPA with Mandarina Bavaria, Citra and Strata hops, and it's citrusy with melon and stone fruit vibes. Cheers!

About the Link Up season:

We're back with a brand new season of BAOS Podcast, and this one is something very special and very close to us. We'll be focusing this entire season on Link Up, a non-profit started by the good folks behind Microbrasserie 5e Baron in Aylmer, QC and Tiffany and Cee here at BAOS and High Season Co. Our aim with this program is to help BIPOC from underrepresented communities learn about and enter the craft beer industry in essentially any area they wish - from a brewing apprentice to taking the Cicerone course for front-of-house opportunities, from hop farming to the yeast lab, from beer media to design and photography, we're here to help diversify an industry that is in dire need of it.

Link Up

Apply for the program via their website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

BAOS Podcast

Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube | Website | Theme tune: Cee - BrewHeads

BAOS: Beer & Other Shhh Podcast

en-usJuly 03, 2023

Episode #26: Link Up | Counterpoint Brewery with Graeme Kobayashi

The third week of Link Up Series 5 brings us back to Ontario, all the way to Kitchener with a true local fave, Counterpoint. Founder Graeme kicks it with Tiff and Cee to chat about the diversity of their staff and customer base, his work with DEI to date, how he collaborates with local businesses to bring a wider awareness to their beers, how he selects who he works with for community collaborations and why his customers often apply for jobs at the brewery. Counterpoint dropped a super fun Link Up beer, a 6.1% milkshake IPA with naranjilla, coconut and lactose - it's citrusy, sweet and creamy. Cheers!

About the Link Up season:

We're back with a brand new season of BAOS Podcast, and this one is something very special and very close to us. We'll be focusing this entire season on Link Up, a non-profit started by the good folks behind Microbrasserie 5e Baron in Aylmer, QC and Tiffany and Cee here at BAOS and High Season Co. Our aim with this program is to help BIPOC from underrepresented communities learn about and enter the craft beer industry in essentially any area they wish - from a brewing apprentice to taking the Cicerone course for front-of-house opportunities, from hop farming to the yeast lab, from beer media to design and photography, we're here to help diversify an industry that is in dire need of it.

Link Up

Apply for the program via their website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

BAOS Podcast

Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube | Website | Theme tune: Cee - BrewHeads

BAOS: Beer & Other Shhh Podcast

en-usJune 26, 2023

Episode #24: Link Up | Mellön Brasserie with Alexandre Pontbriand

Series 5 of Link Up in the building! For our fifth series of collab beers, we did it up heavy and we're kicking off with Montreal's Mellön. Co-Founder Alex joined Tiff and Cee to chat about the last two years of the brewery, how the pandemic affected their business, how their amazing patio helps attract a new, diverse crowd, ways they can proactively try to recruit BIPOC to apply for future positions, and how they make their taproom welcoming for everyone. Mellön delivered Link Up's first-ever farmhouse ale, hopped with 100% Motueka hops to create a peppery, lime-y, floral and crushable brew. Cheers!

About the Link Up season:

We're back with a brand new season of BAOS Podcast, and this one is something very special and very close to us. We'll be focusing this entire season on Link Up, a non-profit started by the good folks behind Microbrasserie 5e Baron in Aylmer, QC and Tiffany and Cee here at BAOS and High Season Co. Our aim with this program is to help BIPOC from underrepresented communities learn about and enter the craft beer industry in essentially any area they wish - from a brewing apprentice to taking the Cicerone course for front-of-house opportunities, from hop farming to the yeast lab, from beer media to design and photography, we're here to help diversify an industry that is in dire need of it.

Link Up

Apply for the program via their website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

BAOS Podcast

Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube | Website | Theme tune: Cee - BrewHeads

BAOS: Beer & Other Shhh Podcast

en-usJune 12, 2023

Episode #23: Link Up | Foam Brewers with Robert Grim + Jonathan Farmer

Bonus drop! The fourth Link Up series saw the brewery collaborations expand south of the border, and what a way to launch in the US with Burlington, VT's Foam Brewers! Co-Founders Bob and Jon joined Tiff and Cee for an incredibly insightful chat about the state of diversity in Vermont, how breweries can deepen their connection to the community around them, their work with Pink Boots, what they've learned from their conversations surrounding Link Up and how they're putting those ideas into action. They crushed Foam's incredible 7% IPA, which boasts Champlain Valley Hops' Cascade, Citra and Sabro hops - it's juicy and citrusy with elements of grass, pine and marzipan. And that's a wrap for Series 4! A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the breweries who participated, everyone who supported and to our newest program applicants. See y'all for Series 5 in Spring 2023!

About the Link Up season:

We're back with a brand new season of BAOS Podcast, and this one is something very special and very close to us. We'll be focusing this entire season on Link Up, a non-profit started by the good folks behind Microbrasserie 5e Baron in Aylmer, QC and Tiffany and Cee here at BAOS and High Season Co. Our aim with this program is to help BIPOC from underrepresented communities learn about and enter the craft beer industry in essentially any area they wish - from a brewing apprentice to taking the Cicerone course for front-of-house opportunities, from hop farming to the yeast lab, from beer media to design and photography, we're here to help diversify an industry that is in dire need of it.

Link Up

Apply for the program via their website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

BAOS Podcast

Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube | Website | Theme tune: Cee - BrewHeads

BAOS: Beer & Other Shhh Podcast

en-usDecember 27, 2022

Episode #22: Link Up | Calum Hill of Sonnen Hill

Brewing a Lager for Link Up requires a lot of notice and a lot of preparation, which is a testament to the dedication to the DEI mission from the legends at Caledon, ON's Sonnen Hill. Brewer and Founder Calum Hill joined Tiff and Cee to chat about the challenges of operating a diverse brewery located in a farming community, the benefits of being close to a major city, how to curate an inclusive experience in your taproom (via ambiance and products), why the mission is important to him and how breweries can ramp up their diversity efforts. We crushed their incredible Link Up Hoppy Pilsner, with Saphir, Citra and Nelson Sauvin - it's malty, tropical, winey and incredibly crushable. Cheers!

About the Link Up season:

We're back with a brand new season of BAOS Podcast, and this one is something very special and very close to us. We'll be focusing this entire season on Link Up, a non-profit started by the good folks behind Microbrasserie 5e Baron in Aylmer, QC and Tiffany and Cee here at BAOS and High Season Co. Our aim with this program is to help BIPOC from underrepresented communities learn about and enter the craft beer industry in essentially any area they wish - from a brewing apprentice to taking the Cicerone course for front-of-house opportunities, from hop farming to the yeast lab, from beer media to design and photography, we're here to help diversify an industry that is in dire need of it.

Link Up

Apply for the program via their website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

BAOS Podcast

Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube | Website | Theme tune: Cee - BrewHeads

BAOS: Beer & Other Shhh Podcast

en-usDecember 17, 2022

Episode #21: Link Up | Frédérick Bois-Chassé of Toltèk Brasseur Artisan

Finally, Link Up Series 4 takes us to Quebec! One of the newer kids on the block, Toltèk Brasseur Artisan opened in late 2020 into one of the most challenging times to open a brick-and-mortar business. Co-Founder Frédérick Bois-Chassé joined Tiff and Cee to chat about how to reach the members of your local community who don't know about beer, working with community groups, the importance of breweries working with non-profits, being a vehicle for people to do good, and the message behind the beer. We drank their fantastic Link Up IPA with Citra, Mosaic and Motueka. Cheers!

About the Link Up season:

We're back with a brand new season of BAOS Podcast, and this one is something very special and very close to us. We'll be focusing this entire season on Link Up, a non-profit started by the good folks behind Microbrasserie 5e Baron in Aylmer, QC and Tiffany and Cee here at BAOS and High Season Co. Our aim with this program is to help BIPOC from underrepresented communities learn about and enter the craft beer industry in essentially any area they wish - from a brewing apprentice to taking the Cicerone course for front-of-house opportunities, from hop farming to the yeast lab, from beer media to design and photography, we're here to help diversify an industry that is in dire need of it.

Link Up

Apply for the program via their website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

BAOS Podcast

Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube | Website | Theme tune: Cee - BrewHeads

BAOS: Beer & Other Shhh Podcast

en-usDecember 10, 2022

diversity and inclusion

Episode #19: Link Up | Jonathan Laurencic of Elora Brewing

The third entry in Link Up's Series 4 sees us swing back to Ontario with the legends at Elora Brewing! Founder Jonathan Laurencic joins Tiff and Cee to chat about the challenges of finding diversity in small cities, how tourism is helping diversity in Elora, how they target larger nearby cities to tap into their diverse talent base, and how meeting people at their comfort zone with things like language can change the game. We drank their fantastic 3% Link Up English Mild Ale, full of caramel and toffee notes, and it's insanely crushable. A fantastic conversation, enjoy!

About the Link Up season:

We're back with a brand new season of BAOS Podcast, and this one is something very special and very close to us. We'll be focusing this entire season on Link Up, a non-profit started by the good folks behind Microbrasserie 5e Baron in Aylmer, QC and Tiffany and Cee here at BAOS and High Season Co. Our aim with this program is to help BIPOC from underrepresented communities learn about and enter the craft beer industry in essentially any area they wish - from a brewing apprentice to taking the Cicerone course for front-of-house opportunities, from hop farming to the yeast lab, from beer media to design and photography, we're here to help diversify an industry that is in dire need of it.

Link Up

Apply for the program via their website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

BAOS Podcast

Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube | Website | Theme tune: Cee - BrewHeads

BAOS: Beer & Other Shhh Podcast

en-usNovember 24, 2022