Since our beginning as a brewpub in Lyons, Colorado, Oskar Blues as a ‘place’ meant so much more than good grub, beer, and music. It has always been about our communities. We are proud that our taprooms and breweries are considered centers of community, not just places to grab a beer.

Black communities in the United States have been subjected to racism for far too long. Black voices have been asking for justice, equality, and peace for 400 years – qualities all Americans should expect, but only some are granted. Black Lives Matter. Black Communities Matter.

There is so much work to do. The problem is big and overwhelming but no one should be intimidated into silence and inaction. The craft beer industry is behind and way too quiet. Silence is unacceptable.

As a small step forward, Oskar Blues Brewery is establishing a scholarship at Auburn University, the alma mater of our soul founder, Dale Katechis, for black students working on the Graduate Certificate of Brewing Science and Operations. This is a first step.