Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
ACA Announces Cider is for Everyone Scholarship Recipients
PORTLAND (December 29, 2023) – The American Cider Association (ACA) is thrilled to announce the awardees of the 2024 Cider is for Everyone Scholarship. Recipients are Genevieve Regalado (Benny Boy Brewing), Robert Freeman (EsoTerra Ciderworks), Britt Evans, Javier Naranjo (Oklawaha Brewing Company), Tasmine Fraser (Girl with a Cider Review, Cider Canada), Rae Adams (Wehrloom Honey & Meadery), Emily Ptasinski (Republic of Cider), WIlliam Santiago (Crafted Concoctions), Jonathan Osei (Artisanal Brewing Ventures), and José Sabas (Grape Ape). Full recipient bios can be found below.
This scholarship is designed to bring individuals from historically marginalized populations within the beverage industry to CiderCon® to increase the accessibility of cider education and catalyze the careers and ownership-pathways of these burgeoning cider professionals. Now in its third year, the scholarship received almost four times the number of applications than in the previous two years combined.
Each scholarship includes registration, travel and lodging to attend CiderCon® 2024 in Portland, Oregon. Additionally, scholarship recipients receive a year of ACA membership and study materials and waived exam fees to pursue recognition through the Certified Cider Professional and Certified Pommelier™ education and certification program offered by the ACA. The ACA is grateful for support from Yonder Cider, Seattle Cider Co, Nine Pin Ciderworks, 2 Towns Ciderhouse, Alma Cider, the Great Little Box Company, John’s Marketplace, Beer Kulture and Lifting Lucy to make the Cider is for Everyone Scholarship possible.
This scholarship is part of a broader effort by the ACA to advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion within the cider industry. In 2019 the ACA launched the Antiracism, Equity and Inclusion Committee, which recognizes diversity, equity and inclusion as important and necessary principles for the present and future successes of the cider industry. This committee structures its work around a belief that existing structures of power, privilege and discrimination must be actively questioned, evaluated and reformed in order to create equitable opportunities and foster an environment that embraces and values our differences. Its members, in conjunction with the rest of the organization, strive to create events, opportunities and organizational policies that embody these principles, and work to continue evaluating these practices for sustained growth and improvement.
“This scholarship is one of our best tools for fostering a more diverse cider industry,” says Michelle McGrath, CEO of the ACA. “The scholarship needs to work in lock step with our efforts to create a more inclusive industry so that, as we have more diverse CiderCon® attendees, they are surrounded by a welcoming community and equitable environment.”
“There is a stark difference between being invited to an event and actually belonging in a space. The American Cider Association is doing the difficult and meaningful work of building a culture within the organization and the industry at-large that fosters true belonging by challenging itself to thoughtfully and carefully evolve and expand. The rapid growth and development of this scholarship program is both a testament to that thoughtfulness and indicative of the program’s importance. Its transformative impact on the lives of not just the individuals who receive it, but also the industry professionals who interact with recipients, spans far beyond the CiderCon® experience. This program, its participants, its sponsors, and its supporters collectively demonstrate that cider is, indeed, for everyone,” says ACA Scholarship Coordinator Olivia Pener, a recipient of the scholarship in 2023.
CiderCon® is the world’s premier networking and educational event for the professional cidermaking community. CiderCon® 2024 will take place in Portland, Oregon from January 17-19 at the Oregon Convention Center. Registration is now open and available at https://ciderassociation.org/cidercon2024.
Further information, media interviews, awardee bios and photos available upon request. Please contact Michelle McGrath at michelle@ciderassociation.org. Interested in helping support the Cider is for Everyone Scholarship? Please contact our Scholarship Coordinator Olivia Pener at scholarship@ciderassociation.org.
Meet Our Scholarship Recipients
Britt Evans
Britt Evans is a proud West Philadelphian who started her journey in the city’s bustling food and beverage industry in 2010. In 2015, Britt developed a love for craft beer which led to a brewing position with Love City in 2021, making her one of the first Black Women to brew professionally in the city of Philadelphia. In the summer of 2023, Britt joined a collaboration with Farmer Jawn and Ploughman Cider, creating the successful “Uptown Cookout” blend for Barrel & Flow Fest. Now open to the beautiful world of apples and cidermaking, Britt is excited for the next phase in her journey. She hopes to explore the world and collaborate with fellow brewers/cidermakers, continuing to open doors and create safe spaces for Black Women in fermentation.
Emily Ptasinski
Hailing from the vibrant island of Taiwan, Emily Ptasinski has carved a unique path in the world of craft beverages as the co-owner and tasting room manager of Republic of Cider. Alongside her husband, they laid the foundation for their cidery in 2018, driven by a passion for redefining the boundaries of cider craftsmanship. Emily’s dedication to reshaping cider culture is reflected in her belief that inclusivity not only enriches flavors but also strengthens the very essence of craft beverages. To that, Emily has helped incorporate the distinct flavors of the Asian palate into their portfolio of ciders, even crafting her own Taiwanese plum wine, based on her own mother’s recipe. Embracing the significance of diversity, she champions the integration of varied perspectives and cultures into the fabric of craft beverages. Recognizing the pivotal role of representation, Emily actively promotes cider within the Taiwanese community, aiming to bridge cultural gaps and foster a sense of belonging.
Emily Ptasinski來自充滿活力的臺灣島，
作為蘋果酒共和國的老板娘和品酒室經理，她在手工飲料領域開闢了一條獨特的道路。 在重新定義蘋果酒工藝界限的激情驅使下，他們與她的丈夫一起在2018成立了，蘋果酒聯合國公司。 Emily致力於重塑蘋果酒文化，這反映在她的信念中，即包容性不僅能豐富風味，還能強化精釀飲料的精髓。 對此，Emily幫助將亞洲味覺的獨特風味納入了他們的蘋果酒組合，甚至根據她母親的食譜製作了自己的臺灣李子酒。 她擁抱多樣性的重要性，倡導將不同的視角和文化融入手工飲料的結構中。 Emily了解獨特性的重要，特別在西雅圖臺灣社群積極推廣蘋果酒，旨在彌合文化差距，培養歸屬感。
Emily很高興被選為美國蘋果酒協會2024年蘋果酒大會的獎學金獲得者。
Genevieve Regalado
Genevieve Regalado, the General Manager at Benny Boy Brewing in Los Angeles, CA, found her passion for cider kindled by the unique balance of dryness and sweetness in Benny Boy’s offerings. This pleasant surprise, given her background in the craft beer industry, not only sparked her creativity in imagining new flavor combinations but also inspired her to delve deeper into the world of cider. Motivated by her curiosity, she became the first on her team to pass the CCP 1 exam, thereby setting a precedent and guiding the development of a cider education program at Benny Boy. Currently, she is studying to pass her Certified Pommelier™ exam, demonstrating her commitment to continuous learning in her field. Genevieve is already infusing her creative ideas for new flavor profiles, featuring indigenous fruits and plants, into the team’s work. These ideas hold the potential to inspire new blends with Benny Boy’s beloved Pippin apple cider. As a proud member of the Latino community, she is weaving elements of her heritage into Benny Boy’s offerings and programming, fostering a broader appreciation for cider among diverse audiences.
Javier Naranjo
Javier Naranjo, a seasoned fermentation professional with a BS in Chemistry, began his journey at Flat Rock Cider Company, refining his craft for two transformative years. Transitioning to Oklawaha Brewing Company, where he currently serves as a Brewer, Javier has been part of a dedicated team that achieved notable success. Together, the team has secured prestigious medals from the North Carolina Brewers Guild and the U.S. Open Beer Championship, contributing to the elevated recognition of Hendersonville, NC’s burgeoning brewing scene.
Jonathan A. Osei
Jonathan A. Osei, Manager of Solutions Design & Delivery at Jobs For the Future, blends his Arizona roots and Ghanaian-Black Southern heritage to fuel his passion for community work and craft beverages. His journey in the nonprofit social impact space is intertwined with his love for diverse cultures and flavors.
While studying at Duke University, Jonathan’s interest in the craft beverage scene blossomed, with Durham introducing him to a variety of craft drinks that broadened his palate. This experience sparked a particular fondness for cider, beginning with Bold Rock Cider and later, Bull City Ciderworks.
In Washington, D.C., Jonathan’s enthusiasm led to his role as a DC Brand Ambassador for Artisanal Brewing Ventures, sharing exceptional craft beverages. He is committed to diversifying the craft beer and cider industry, actively promoting local Black brewers through the Black Brew Movement and fostering inclusivity and collaboration. Jonathan’s goal is to enrich the craft beverage culture with diverse flavors and perspectives, bringing people together to enjoy unique and delightful beverages.
José Sabas
José Sabas orginally hails from Coachella, California. He is currently the chef at Grape Ape, a natural wine bar in Portland, Oregon. José just recently started his journey in cidermaking and is focused on low intervention and co-fermentations, using only produce from the Pacific Northwest.
Rae Adams
Rae Adams, from Chicago, IL, moved to Western North Carolina in hopes to work with a farm futuristic enough to be using traditional farming technology without harmful chemicals and pesticides. Entering the professional world directly from a Liberal Arts program, with a concentration in Physics, was an exciting leap into the corporate hustle but was not the card best suited. She has since been a strong part of the Customer Service and Entertainment industries, including management teams of bars, music venues and restaurants in Chicago and Western North Carolina. Currently, Rae is the Director of Sales for Wehrloom Honey & Meadery in Graham County, Robbinsville, NC. The Wehrloom team philosophy is that no one holds any one title; they’re all Beekeepers, Mead Makers, and Packaging and Sales Specialists: Aron, Garret, Ted, Jessica, Gayle, Abby and Anna. Working at Wehrloom is more than a profession, it’s a passion.
Robert Freeman
When Robert Freeman was 18 he got a tattoo on his arm that has an apple in an eye, to signify a promise to himself to always proceed with intention and chosen purpose. All his intents and purposes have led him here. Nowadays, all he sees are apples. He is passionate about the potential and the future of apples and the cider industry in America. Robert currently works at EsoTerra Ciderworks. Getting this opportunity to go to CiderCon®, to become a member of the ACA, and to have the chance to become a Certified Pommelier™ – is a literal dream come true for Robert.
Tasmine Fraser
Tas Fraser is a Canadian cider enthusiast and social media content creator located in the Niagara region of Ontario, Canada. She is the founder of @girlwithaciderreview on Instagram where she shares her reviews of ciders from around the world. She started her Instagram in 2018 and has since developed many exciting projects. Throughout the pandemic, she created the IGTV show #ciderandlife to showcase local and global cideries making an impact in their communities. In 2021, she launched #noappleogies project to empower and highlight the work of women in cider and tackle issues of sexism and racism in the industry. The movement was intentional, reaching many corners of the world and generating conversation via podcasts, articles, and social media, and including some educational workshops on creating safe spaces in the beverage industry. Tas is currently a part of the CiderScene team and a member of the Cider Canada Board of Directors (and member of the Equity Committee). Outside of cider, she is pursuing her Masters in Social work, and working in the field doing preventative work and supporting survivors of gender-based violence.
William Santiago
Born in Puerto Rico, William Santiago is an award winning bartender currently working at Crafted Concoctions in Tavares, Florida. He has more than 10 years experience in the beverage alcohol industry. He is WSET certified in both Wine and Spirits level 2, a cocktail educator, and a spirit and cider enthusiast.
Cider Is For Everyone Scholarship Application Now Open!
The American Cider Association is pleased to announce the continuation of their Cider Is For Everyone Scholarship program for CiderCon® 2024. This scholarship is designed to bring historically marginalized groups to CiderCon® to increase the accessibility of cider education and jump-start the careers and ownership-pathways of these cider professionals.
The scholarship package includes: registration to CiderCon® 2024 (including travel and lodging) and the entire suite of ACA’s Certified Cider Professional educational programming leading up to sitting for the Certified Pommelier™ exam (Level 1 CCP training and certification exam, two Certified Pommelier™sensory webinars; the Certified Pommelier™ study guide, and the registration fee for the Certified Pommelier™ Exam).
Applications are now being accepted and the deadline to apply is November 27. Those interested in applying can fill out the application form here. Recipients will be contacted to schedule a brief interview and winners of the scholarship will be notified by December 5. CiderCon® 2024 takes place January 16 – January 19, 2024 in Portland, Oregon
This scholarship is part of a broader effort by the ACA to advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion for the cider industry. In 2019 the ACA launched the Antiracism, Equity and Inclusion committee which recognizes diversity, equity and inclusion as an important and necessary part of present and future successes of the cider industry. This committee structures its work around a belief that existing structures of power, privilege and discrimination must be actively questioned and evaluated in order to create equitable opportunities in an environment that embraces and values our differences. They strive to create events, opportunities and organizational policies that embody these values, and to continue evaluating these practices for sustained growth and improvement.
“This scholarship is one of our best tools for fostering a more diverse cider industry” says Michelle McGrath, CEO of the ACA. “The scholarship needs to work in lock step with our efforts to create a more inclusive industry so that, as we have more diverse CiderCon® attendees, they are surrounded by a welcoming community and equitable environment.”
Meet Our Scholarship Coordinator
Olivia Pener’s passion for food and drink, and the way they bring people together, was ignited as a small child whose large family always gathered over meals in the kitchen. That flame was stoked by her experiences growing up in her family’s restaurant and being surrounded by multicultural foodways in St. Louis, MO. Now, after almost 20 years in the service industry and the nonprofit world, she brings her fervor for people and palates to the American Cider Association as their “Cider is for Everyone” Scholarship Coordinator. A recipient of the scholarship herself, Olivia was welcomed into the world of cider with open arms. She is excited to contribute to the growth and evolution of the cider industry as a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and dynamic environment for all. She lives in Mid-Missouri with her two cats, Felix and Nermal, and her Chihuahua mix, Swiper.
Have questions about the scholarship? Reach out to Olivia with any questions you might have!
Making An Impact During Pride Month Through Company Culture
In the United States, pride marches and parades trace their roots back to 1970 when they were created to mark the anniversary and commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York City. Today Pride Month is celebrated every June across the country as a means to create a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community to be visible and wholly themselves. But what if there are ways you could create that space within your cider company culture all year long?
Learn more about the LGBTQ+ acronym
This Pride Month, we invite you to create a work environment that makes your LGBTQ+ employees feel safe and valued. In all of these examples, your entire organization will be better poised to thrive by pursuing the steps outlined.
- Review company policies that impact leadership and employee pipelines for LGBTQ+ employees: Do your anti-discrimination policies mention LGBTQ+ individuals? Have you evaluated your employee pipeline to see if you are creating opportunities for leadership development with your LGBTQ+ employees?
- Support your staff’s mental health. Provide paid mental health days and create opportunities for mental health-restoring company group activities. Support human resource speakers talking to your team. Consider formal mental health benefits. Be aware of anti-LGBTQ+ events highlighted on the news and how that might emotionally impact employees.
- Offer paid parental leave regardless of gender or biological/adoptive birth.
- Commit to learning and using the proper language. The language about the LGTBQ+ community evolves fast. Showing a commitment to using the right terms goes a long way in earning trust.
- Center the Trans experience in your inclusion efforts. As a leader, using your pronouns when you introduce yourself is validating for your transgender staff. Don’t make pronouns mandatory (some employees may not be out as trans individuals) but create space for others to follow suit when they are comfortable to do so. When pronoun wishes are shared by staff, honor them. Have a gender-neutral bathroom available.
- Take an affirmative public position on LGBTQ+ inclusion and belonging. This can be through events, social media or partnerships. Some great examples include Seattle Cider Company partnering with Queer Mountaineers to support a safe space for outdoor enthusiasts of all backgrounds, genders, and sexualities; Diskin Cider Co. hosting Drag Brunch in Nashville and partnering with Tennessee-based LGBTQ+ affirming organizations to do so; and 1911’s PRIDE Cider connecting back to the Sylvia Rivera Law Project (a NY-based organization promoting free gender expression and working to improve equal access to quality social, health, and legal services). Avoid “rainbow washing” by creating and standing by policies that will protect and uplift the LGBTQ+ community.
You can find more in-depth resources for creating a workplace that is inclusive below:
- Sign up for your Crafted For All account (included with your ACA membership benefits!)
CiderCon® Demographics and Inclusion Dashboard
Over the last couple years, the ACA’s Antiracism, Equity and Inclusion committee has focused its efforts on expanding CiderCon®’s audience through inclusive practices for attendees, speakers, and media. A new CiderCon® Demographics and Inclusion Dashboard has been developed as part of the ACA’s efforts to set goals and measure progress toward becoming a more inclusive and representative industry. By measuring demographic and community engagement data, we are holding ourselves accountable to trackable and transparent improvement. This dashboard is reliant upon self-reported data from CiderCon® industry surveys and statistical information gathered by the ACA.
The U.S. is increasingly multiracial and cider needs to ensure it is a safe and inclusive community to grow with the country’s demographics. Research shows that diversifying ownership is a pathway to diversifying customers. CiderCon® is an excellent opportunity for new cider professionals to learn about the industry, so we are prioritizing making CiderCon® more representative of the U.S. population as a whole.
We anticipate the dashboard to evolve with time, and we welcome suggestions for improvement.
Eight Scholarships Awarded to BIPOC Recipients Across the Country for CiderCon® 2023
Sponsored by Yonder Cider, in collaboration with American Cider Association and Beer Kulture, the CiderCon® scholarship program returns for its second year with more applicants and awardees than ever to bring new people of color from historically marginalized groups
CHICAGO (January 12, 2023) – Yonder Cider®, Beer Kulture and the American Cider Association (ACA) are excited to announce the awardees of the 2023 CiderCon® BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) Scholarship. Eight individuals – including six cider passionate individuals and two media attendees – received scholarships to attend the annual conference, taking place January 31 – February 2 in Chicago, Illinois. This scholarship is designed to bring people of color from historically marginalized groups to CiderCon® to increase the accessibility of cider education and jump-start the careers of these cider professionals. Receiving more applicants than the previous year, the scholarship – now in its second year – has grown from three scholarships to eight, with awardees from seven different states across the country.
“This scholarship is really a gift for the cider industry as a whole,” said Caitlin Braam, founder of Yonder Cider and founding chair of the ACA’s Antiracism, Equity and Inclusion committee. “Diversity brings more ideas, new creativity, and broader perspectives, ultimately making a stronger and better cider community. It’s encouraging to see the efforts of this committee continue to grow and it’s truly a privilege for Yonder to be able to fund this important initiative.”
Each scholarship includes registration, travel and lodging to attend CiderCon® 2023 in Chicago. Additionally, scholarship recipients are offered training materials and waived exam fees to pursue becoming a Certified Cider Professional and Certified Pommelier™.
This year’s awardees include:
Scholarship Awardees
Monique Gray, California
Anthony Lopez, California
Gabriela Muñoz, Minnesota
Olivia Pener, Missouri
LaShanda Poteat, North Carolina
Chanell Williams, Washington
Media Sponsorship Awardees
Adrian Luna-Verduga, New Jersey
Ruvani de Silva, Texas
This scholarship is part of a broader effort by the ACA to advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. In 2019 the ACA launched the Antiracism, Equity and Inclusion committee which recognizes diversity, equity and inclusion as an important and necessary part of present and future successes of the cider industry. This committee structures its work around a belief that existing structures of power, privilege and discrimination must be actively questioned and evaluated in order to create equitable opportunities in an environment that embraces and values our differences. They strive to create events, opportunities and organizational policies that embody these values, and to continue evaluating these practices for sustained growth and improvement.
The ACA first partnered with Beer Kulture in 2021. Beer Kulture works in the broader craft beverage space to support professional opportunities for people of color. “By bringing more people of color into the craft beverage industry at every level, we aim to create new possibilities, not just as workers, but as founders, too. This is our hope for cider and why we’re excited about these scholarships,” said Latiesha Cook, CEO and President, Beer Kulture.
“This scholarship is one of many ACA initiatives to create a more diverse cider industry,” says Michelle McGrath, Executive Director of the ACA. “The scholarship needs to work in lock step with our efforts to create a more inclusive industry so that, as we have more diverse CiderCon attendees, they are surrounded by a welcoming community and equitable environment.”
CiderCon® is the world’s premier networking and educational event for the professional cidermaking community. CiderCon® 2023 will take place in Chicago, Illinois from January 31 – February 3, 2023 at the Hilton Chicago. Registration is now open and available at ciderassociation.org/cidercon2023. Individuals interested in applying for the CiderCon® Scholarship next year are encouraged to sign up for notifications here.
Further information, media interviews, awardee bios and photos available upon request. Please contact Michelle McGrath at michelle@ciderassociation.org.
About Yonder Cider
Best Enjoyed Anywhere. Yonder Cider was started to bring full-flavored, delicious cider to every occasion. Picked and pressed in Wenatchee, Washington – the heart of Apple Country – we create cider that’s as balanced, bright and complex as the land itself. Crafted using a blend of bittersweet cider apples and juicy dessert apples, our ciders are hardly simple, and never straightforward, but you can always count on them being interesting. Founded August 2020, Yonder Cider is available in 16-ounce cans and on draft throughout Washington state and online at yondercider.com. For more information, follow Yonder Cider on Instagram and Facebook (@yondercider).
About the American Cider Association
The American Cider Association is an organization of cider and perry producers in the United States. It gathers and shares information about cider production, regulations and cider apple growing to help members improve their operations, raise awareness and advance cider in the market. The organization was founded in February 2013. Learn more at ciderassociation.org.
About Beer Kulture
Beer Kulture is a nonprofit advancing opportunities that foster diversity, equity and inclusion within the craft beverage space. Since 2017, Beer Kulture has been a community resource and has demonstrated commitment to the work necessary to advance the Kulture forward. Learn more at beerkulture.com.
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CiderCon® Scholarships Continue for 2023 Conference
Yonder Cider, Beer Kulture and the American Cider Association have partnered to continue CiderCon® scholarship opportunities this year. These scholarships are designed to bring new BIPOC individuals into the cider industry. The scholarship includes: registration to CiderCon®; travel and lodging; Certified Cider Professional Level 1 bundle (including the exam); two Certified Cider Professional Sensory Webinars; and the registration fee for the Certified Pommelier™ Exam. Applications can be found here and the deadline to apply is December 10, 2022. Recipients will be contacted to schedule a brief interview and winners of the scholarship will be notified on December 21, 2022. CiderCon® 2023 takes place January 31 – February 3, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois.
Beer Kulture, ANXO Cider, and The American Cider Association Partner to Increase Diversity in the Cider Industry
ANXO, Beer Kulture Kollaboration Cider Will Help Fund Cider Scholarships
Beer Kulture, ANXO Cider, and the American Cider Association have partnered to introduce three scholarship opportunities designed to bring new Black, African American, Hispanic, Latino, Native North American, Pacific Islander, and other BIPOC individuals into the cider industry.
Each scholarship includes:
- Certified Cider Professional Level 1 bundle (including the exam)
- Two Certified Cider Professional Sensory Webinars
- Registration fee for the Certified Pommelier Exam
- Registration for the recipient and a guest to CiderCon®, the cider industry’s annual conference
- Travel to and from CiderCon® for the recipient and a guest
- Lodging at CiderCon® for the recipient and a guest
“We’re excited to expand into the cider industry with the work we’re doing,” said Latiesha Cook, CEO and President, Beer Kulture. “The broader alcohol space is large and offers so many opportunities to people of color as consumers, potential industry employees, and future owners that it makes sense for us to start looking at partnerships beyond beer. By bringing more people of color into these industries at every level, it creates new possibilities, not just as workers, but as founders, so they can own a piece of the space and drive the industry forward too. We’re really excited to work with ANXO and the American Cider Association for our first official scholarship and kollaboration in cider.”
While this is the first official cider scholarship and kollaboration for Beer Kulture, it’s not the group’s first foray into cider. Last year, the group worked with Michelle McGrath, Executive Director of the American Cider Association, to offer a package of free virtual registrations to CiderCon® 2021 to past Beer Kulture scholarship and internship winners. That package also included the Certified Cider Professional Level 1 exam and workshops.
“Last year’s partnership with Beer Kulture went so well that we wanted to continue the relationship with them this year,” explained McGrath. “Much like the beer industry, cider has historically struggled to diversify, especially beyond gender. Partnering with Beer Kulture is an opportunity for us to proactively reach people of new backgrounds and welcome them into our industry.”
This year, the partnership expanded to include Washington, D.C.’s ANXO Cider.
“We’re really focused on doing the work to help move the industry forward,” commented Rachel Topelius, co-founder and Director of HR and Community Outreach, ANXO Cider. “When we started talking with Latiesha and Michelle about this scholarship opportunity, we thought about how we could go further and drive more impact. After Latiesha mentioned that past Beer Kulture scholarship winners have given feedback that it can be intimidating being the only person of color at a conference, the idea came up to fund sending a plus one, to make each winner feel more comfortable and welcomed.”
The three scholarship packages will be funded by a new cider kollaboration from ANXO, Beer Kulture and the American Cider Association. The cider, a 7.3% ABV dry cider named Kulture, is a unique blend of 50/25/25 Albemarle Pippin, Dabinett, and Harrison apples, developed in conjunction by ANXO and Beer Kulture. The resulting liquid will be juicy with bold and gripping tannins producing a textured mouthfeel accompanied by balanced acidity.
“Kulture contains an exceptional blend of apples,” explained Sam Fitz, co-founder and President/Director of Production, ANXO Cider. “All the apples were sourced from Virginia and Pennsylvania within 100 miles of our facility in D.C. They were each then fermented naturally in wood prior to the blending.”
Black, African American, Hispanic, Latino, Native North American, Pacific Islander, and other BIPOC individuals interested in the scholarships are encouraged to apply by visiting this LINK.
Kulture, the new dry cider kollaboration, will debut at a release party at CiderCon® on February 2, 2022. Follow ANXO and Beer Kulture to learn more details about the release party closer to CiderCon®, including the time and location.
About Beer Kulture
Beer Kulture builds trust and strengthens communities by using craft beer to foster inclusion, equity and diversity. Together, we can change the world – one beer at a time. Learn more at www.beerkulture.com.
About ANXO Cider
ANXO Cider (pronounced Ahn-Cho) is a Washington, DC-based craft cidery inspired by centuries of American and European cider making culture. The idea of ANXO was first planted in the minds of Founders and Co-Owners Sam Fitz, Rachel Topelius, and Cooper Sheehan during a life-changing trip to the Basque country of Spain and the West Country of the United Kingdom where Sam was introduced to the rich history of farming and fermenting apples. ANXO’s mission is to grow cider culture in the US by creating and importing the finest ciders that are the purest expressions of the apples they are made from. ANXO makes cider much like vintners make wine, embracing an #ApplesOnly approach, using apples and yeast. Fermented in stainless steel or wood vessels the resulting product is sugar and gluten free and low-carb and is as complex as wine and accessible and sessionable as beer. Learn more at https://anxocider.com/.
About the American Cider Association
The American Cider Association is an organization of cider and perry producers in the United States. It gathers and shares information about cider production, regulations and cider apple growing to help members improve their operations, raise awareness and advance cider in the market. The organization was founded in February 2013. Learn more at ciderassociation.org.
Reflections from Antiracism, Equity & Inclusion Committee Members
We recently asked the Antiracism, Equity & Inclusion committee to reflect on their work this past year. Read below to hear our committee members sharing their thoughts on how our work has affected them.
It has been a highlight of my career to work with the American Cider Association’s Antiracism, Equity & Inclusion committee. There were so many outcomes I didn’t expect, but most of all, that the work we were doing together on this committee would have positive ripple effects across the organization. The practices we use on this committee are helping the ACA advance to the next level throughout all our programming. It’s become a launchpad for organizational growth. This committee deserves so much credit for helping ACA raise the bar for how we pursue and measure success for the entire cider industry. I’m now a believer that doing the work to pursue more equity and inclusion is a mechanism for broader change in any organization. My gratitude for everyone on this team is endless!
Doing this work has become a very grounding part of my weekly routine. During a time with so much change and instability, feeling more and more connected and aware of the world around me has given me a strength and drive to move forward that I honestly needed in order to get through these past 15 months.
In a lot of ways I feel like my eyes are opening wider and wider with every article I read, every question I ask. But it’s not just active learning. It’s learning to be quieter so that I can hear other voices around me. It’s admitting out loud that I am racist and coming to terms with that myself. I have spent 34 years growing up in a racist society, how could I not be? It seems so obvious now. But if you asked me ten years ago if I was racist, I would have been offended and started listing off all the reasons I wasn’t.
Shifting your understanding of what you’re seeing and experiencing, to think critically about your own life and separate out emotions and intentions and perceptions from reality and facts…it’s not easy. There have been moments over the last year that I really questioned myself. Am I performative? Am I a true ally? What does it even mean to be an ally? How can I live a happy life surrounded by and engrained in systems that are designed to keep certain people down? Am I “qualified” to be doing this work? But these questions are in some ways the point. If you’re questioning yourself, then that means you’re actively engaging with these hard topics. This journey is never ending, and sometimes I have to remind myself to take it one step at a time. I’m a goal oriented person, but at this stage in my own journey, the process is the goal. Sometimes that can be incredibly frustrating for my own sense of accomplishment or productivity, but it’s also more rewarding than any specific goal I’ve ever accomplished.
In the last few months my husband and I got a puppy and two kittens. We love these little ones more than I can put into words, and that love has made me think a lot about what it means to really take care of and support each other. Our unconditional love for our pets is something that won’t always be perfect; it doesn’t guarantee safety or the absence of accidents, it doesn’t mean I always treat them perfectly, and I don’t stop living my own life in order to meet every possible need of these little ones. There is always a balance to keep. But it means that their basic needs are met, and when something does go wrong that we will be there to get through it together as best we can. It means we genuinely want the best for them, and want to do our part to make that possible. Then I think about our society as it is now. There is no unconditional love for people. In fact there’s nothing but conditions placed on society’s support and love. Then I imagine a society that treats all human beings with unconditional love. It’s not perfect. Tragic accidents still happen. Terrible acts are still committed by individuals. But as a society, we collectively protect each other and unconditionally commit to growing as a collective group through whatever sphere of influence we have. In all facets of life, there is attention to a shared understanding of the greater good and basic human rights. For the first time in my life, I think that future is possible. It will never be perfect, but it can be a whole lot better. But we have a whole lot of work to do to get there!
I continue to be both humbled and grateful to have the opportunity to learn and be part of this work with the American Cider Association and the other members of the AEI Committee.
Through a somewhat non-traditional path, I found my way into serving as a member of the ACA’s Antiracism, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, and it’s been amazing to see how the committee’s vision and mission has grown over this past year. While the cider industry has had DE&I challenges, it’s been refreshing to serve on a committee that doesn’t shy away from those stumbles, while taking actionable steps to improve the diversity, equity, and inclusion landscape for the industry. Additionally, it’s been great to work with so many passionate people from varied backgrounds. The committee’s newsletter, spearheaded by Olivia Maki, also has helped to invigorate the conversation around building a just, equitable, and inclusive environment in cider and beyond. I look forward to what our committee will do in the future!
This past year being on the ACA’s Antiracism, Equity and Inclusion Committee has been a labor of love encased in a fragile box. Meaning, it was a relief to know that the ACA is dedicated to making change regarding diversity in the industry. However, with so much going on inside and outside of the industry that is working against that type of change, it can feel like an exercise in futility ready to collapse at any moment.
That is one of the main reasons I am so happy about being on this committee in particular. Even before all of the events of the past year, this team was dedicated to making significant and meaningful change to the perception of the cider industry internally as well as externally. As someone more connected to the consumer side of the industry I can attest that it is exciting to see that shift in perception and to be a part of that change.
I think the first step to any change is having a genuine group of people that believe in the goal. I can say with 100% certainty, we have that group of people and are positioned to do some awesome work for the cider industry.
Being a member of the AEI committee has increased my personal sense of community within the cider world. Not only am I proud that Blossom Barn Cidery is a part of the ACA, I’m thrilled that so many others in the organization are resolute in their commitment to equity, antiracism, and inclusion. It’s not easy work but it is necessary. Thanks to the work of the committee and Michelle’s leadership a lot of progress has been made in a short period of time. Cheers!
The road ahead to a just and equitable cider industry is a long and winding one. Serving on the AEI committee has given me the opportunity to work alongside a group of individuals that care deeply about the cider industry and the mission of our committee. I’m grateful to them and the ACA Board for allowing us this platform. Roughly one year ago following the murder of George Floyd we as a committee came together to recognize that we needed a more active approach to our DEI work and launched a number of initiatives, including our monthly newsletter, to be able to put words into actions. We are learning and unlearning, stumbling and picking ourselves up, and I look forward to the work we are going to continue to do.
A few years ago, I certainly would have said I recognized forms of systemic racism, particularly those that restricted resources and opportunities to various disenfranchised groups in our communities. As I reflect on that awareness now, I am sorry to say that I could not have been more complacent or obtuse. The more I study social justice, the more I see that my challenge was not recognizing racism, but rather understanding how blind I can be to the reality that systemic racism and broad socio-economic biases (beyond what Ibram X. Kendi might call “the mirage of race”) are profoundly pervasive, enduring, and even actively worsening. Provoking insecurity, my lack of insight can feel deeply troubling at times when I reflect on my own behaviors. But the process is also encouraging in a fashion, because I feel that only with insight can we begin a journey toward addressing the issues that so trouble our communities.
For helping me along this journey, challenging my perspectives and offering their own, I’d like to thank the ACA and our committee on anti-racism, equity and inclusion. However, I’d like to distinguish in my thanks Olivia Maki for her incredible work in curating a fantastic monthly collection of resources on anti-racism, equity and social justice over the past 12 months. The newsletter for me has been alternately challenging, radically informative, and thoroughly uplifting. Drawing from wide ranging media platforms, I’ve been witness to moving personal perspectives, crucial academic positions, and expressions of the effects of racism in film, music and literature. These perspectives don’t typically tumble out of the algorithms for the average middle age white guy’s newsfeed, but I believe that is precisely the reason they are so valuable. The newsletter has been a remarkable starting point for my studies, and I could not encourage my own peers enough that if these ideas make you uncomfortable, then study more, fact check, listen to critiques and opposing viewpoints, and discuss.
To the latter point, I appreciate our cider community’s efforts to create a safe and inclusive space for just these types of discussions, and would refer you to the recording of the NYCA’s discussion on reparations and Brooke Glover’s article on the ACA board’s work as just two examples of the ways our community is working toward goals of equity, inclusion and social justice. Though I’ve considered it my first priority to listen and study during the past 12 months, I feel richer for being a part of this community and can appreciate that we have much yet to accomplish in our small corner of the craft beverage industry.
Cider is a small industry, and it can feel at times isolated from the broader world. On first glance, the work we do at the ACA may appear inward looking, in a bubble of orchards, fermentations, tastings, and good cheer. In prior years, some of our members, myself included, may not have seen how racism directly affected the cider industry. Some may have wondered why a panel on diversity at CiderCon was even necessary. This work on antiracism has forced me to confront my own color blindness and acknowledge that this is not a distraction but a necessary centerpiece to the work we do at the ACA and the work we do in our own companies and communities. We have been challenged to affirm what is most important to us and what kind of people we aspire to become. Institutions and cultures can feel slow to change. Even when there is intention, the how of changing can get bogged down in the efforts, and inertia threatens forward motion. When feeling stuck or at a loss of how to move forward, I have found inspiration in the stories presented and efforts undertaken by so many in the food and beverage industry as highlighted by the monthly antiracism newsletter. I am thankful to be a part of a community pledging to do this work together.
Making Safer Cider Communities for All
You’ve probably seen the posts on Instagram or heard rumblings ripple throughout your friend group or community: the craft beer world is in the midst of a true reckoning right now.
Over past few weeks, there has been an immense outpouring of professionals in the industry, publicly sharing stories of gender-based discrimination or violence they’ve experienced in the workplace. These accounts, which range from repeated microaggressions to direct sexual assault, have been eye-opening for many and not so surprising to others.
Gender-based discrimination is relatively common in the US workplace, and in hospitality industries, customers, colleagues and managers can be sources of discriminatory behavior. Did you know that even though sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination are illegal, 42% of women experience gender-based discrimination in the workplace and 72% of incidents go unreported? The shockwaves running throughout the beer industry must serve as a wakeup call to all working in the alcohol sector — and that unequivocally includes the cider industry.
The American Cider Association is 100% committed to ensuring the spaces we hold for the cider community are safe and inclusive. Part of cultivating safe spaces is regularly evaluating what measures are in place to maintain that space and to look for opportunities to improve. We are taking this moment to evaluate our community policies at ACA.
Here are new ways we are striving to help make safer cider communities for all:
- For the past several years, CiderCon has held a code of conduct policy. More recently, we passed a code of conduct for ACA volunteers. But we did not establish a neutral third party to accept code of conduct violation complaints. Moving forward, CiderCon incident reports involving sexual harassment or assault by CiderCon participants and volunteers, ACA board, ACA staff and ACA committee volunteers can be made to WeVow. Other code of conduct complaints related to CiderCon participants and volunteers, ACA board, ACA staff and ACA committee volunteers may be made to the Executive Director or a Board Director. We will share more specific reporting procedures on our website soon.
- As your trade association, we want to provide you with resources to reduce the burdens of doing business. This includes tools to manage your team so that your business may thrive. We have provided members with people management trainings at CiderCon, but none of these trainings specifically addressed sexual harassment policies or other such tools.
We are pleased to share that starting today, ACA members now receive:
- A 30% discount at WeVow through December 31, 2021. WeVow is a subscription-based sexual harassment management program providing tools, policy templates, resources, counseling and incident reporting tools to your business. The packages are affordable and tiered based on business size. With your ACA discount, packages for a small business may be a little as $21/month. The ACA member discount code can be found by logging in to your ACA account and going to our member resources page. This code will expire at the end of the year.
We also wanted to provide a starting point for any members looking to create or strengthen their workplace anti-sexual harassment policies. Consistent messaging, and a transparent chain of accountability is crucial for employees’ safety — blanket statements along the lines of “sexual harassment is not tolerated here” is not as powerful as a clearly worded policy that can be referenced whenever necessary.
Here are five more best practices for cidery owners/managers to combat and prevent sexual harassment:
- Have a sexual harassment policy and a clear protocol on how staff activate compliance concerns, ideally involving a neutral third party to hear complaints.
- Have open conversations with your team to cultivate a culture of no-tolerance for harassment. Some states require annual sexual harassment trainings for all staff.
- Publish pay rates in job postings, which helps to prevent gender-based pay inequity. Also important to note: It is illegal to ban employee conversations about wages.
- Review state labor laws and compare them with your hiring practices.
- Strive for inclusive management. We know from research that diverse teams perform better — this includes, but is not limited to, gender representation.
We are excited to roll out a New Member Resource Library later this year, and plan to provide further resources for managing and supporting your team. If there is a specific resource in this arena that you would like to see, please let us know. Also, if you have suggestions related to the conduct of ACA staff, volunteers and CiderCon attendees, please share them with us.
We are committed to creating a community in which all individuals feel safe, valued and respected and have a sense of belonging. Making lasting changes is going to require an ongoing, intentional effort across our industry. The ACA will continue to improve our strategies around issues of sexual harassment and discrimination. We hope for continued conversation, self-reflection and evaluation from all of our members, so that we can tackle these issues head-on, together.
We look forward to hearing from you.
ACA Board of Directors–Executive Committee
From our Statement of Intent: “We believe that existing structures of power, privilege and discrimination must be actively questioned and evaluated in order to create equitable opportunities in an environment that embraces and values our differences. We will strive to create events, opportunities and organizational policies that embody these values, and to continue evaluating these practices for sustained growth and improvement.”
The American Cider Association (ACA) has been quiet on social media for the last two weeks. We’ve been listening, learning, and working on a sincere, actionable response. When it comes to standing up for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) we have made critical mistakes in the past and we have done harm with our silence. We recognize that we have a lot to learn, that we will make mistakes while we are learning, and that we will grow from those mistakes. We recognize that our ability to write an email like this comes from a place of privilege.
The ACA believes Black Lives Matter. We acknowledge the injustices faced by Black individuals and we stand in solidarity with those raising their voice for change. Our society upholds white privilege in unjust ways and the cider industry and the American Cider Association are dominated by white voices. We have long felt that failure to support BIPOC in the beverage and hospitality industry falls on us as an association, but we have not taken meaningful action on those feelings. Today, it’s too easy for us to feel accomplished with a donation or a hashtag. Instead we are challenging ourselves to invest in lasting change for our organization and our industry. Our commitment to antiracism in the cider industry starts here:
- ACA commits to sending out a monthly newsletter with antiracism resources to our members for the next 12 months.
- ACA commits to participate in antibias and diversity training at the board and staff level within the next six months.
- ACA commits to additional seminars and discussions at CiderCon 2021 around diversity, equity and inclusion.
- ACA commits to not promoting cideries that use racist language or imagery.
We also challenge our members to join us in creating this needed change throughout our industry. You can actively take on this challenge in your lives and businesses in the following ways.
- Collaborate with Black-owned businesses and hire Black employees and contractors. Many communities have business directories you can use to identify Black-owned companies.
- Commit to providing antiracism and antibias training to your cidery’s employees, no matter their role. If you need help finding such resources, let us know.
- Become a patron of a black-led educational platform and participate in the readings, resources and challenges.
As part of our commitment to providing antiracism resources to our members, we will share some of the tools we mention above with our members in the coming months.
As a cider community, we must address the history that has led to a food and beverage industry that rewards racist ideals, and we need to learn how to undo those systems. It’s not easy work, but together we can move toward an equitable and inclusive cider industry that directly recognizes the contributions of Black individuals and celebrates the racial diversity in this country.
Please join us in this work moving forward. Hold us accountable, ask questions, demand transparency, and join us in doing the work.
We thank our Diversity Committee for their support in helping us do this difficult work. Learn more about our committees and our organizational statement of intent regarding Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for the cider industry.