NEW ORLEANS – Zony Mash Beer Project and Café Reconcile have partnered for the global Black is Beautiful Beer Campaign created by Weathered Souls Brewing Co. in San Antonio, Texas.
Zony Mash Beer Project is a New Orleans “beer destination” that opened in 2019 in the historic Gem Theater on Thalia Street. Owners and partners Adam Ritter and Mitch Grittman signed on to the new campaign to collaborate with more than 1,000 breweries across 50 states and 19 countries. Weathered Souls provided the base recipe for the Imperial Stout, and Zony Mash placed its distinctive creative spin on the recipe.
“The Black is Beautiful label, platform and collaboration is about understanding and supporting people of color,” said Adam Ritter of Zony Mash. “We believe that actions are the best expression of belief and we are proud to be a part of the Black is Beautiful Beer Campaign with Café Reconcile.”
Zony Mash selected Café Reconcile as its partner and local beneficiary. In the face of the pandemic, Reconcile is supporting alumni, many who were employed in the hospitality industry, through remote case management, online programs and workshops, connections to mental health counseling and critical community services, and direct grant assistance to address immediate needs from diapers to medication for individuals.
“Café Reconcile is the perfect partner for the Black is Beautiful Beer campaign,” said Ritter. “At Café Reconcile, a diverse community comes together daily to enjoy a meal, share a conversation and support young people who attend their program to find their potential and pursue their dreams.”
Zony Mash chose Reconcile’s Sweet Potato Crumble, its signature side dish, to be the added ingredient for the Black is Beautiful Beer. The Café Reconcile team prepared 150 pounds of sweet potato crumble that was added during the brewing process to make a distinctive, flavorful and robust imperial stout.
In addition to providing the special ingredient for the Black is Beautiful beer, Cafe Reconcile alumni are assisting throughout the brewing process, from milling the grain to brewing and canning the beer.
“I experienced a lot of things that would have never been possible without Reconcile,” said Delvin Davis, Reconcile alumnus. “I prepared meals at a Miss America pageant. I cooked at Essence Fest. And now, I have the Zony Mash experience on my resume. I know the brewing process. I have skills that can be transferred to a wide range of industries as I continue to look for a stable job.”
The Black is Beautiful Sweet Potato Crumble Imperial Stout will be released in late July. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the beer will support the ongoing work of Café Reconcile. Craft beer enthusiasts can look for the Zony Mash Black Is Beautiful brew at Zony Mash Beer Project and local retailers in New Orleans. Café Reconcile will also sell four-packs of the stout and add the brew to its daily lunch menu.
“In New Orleans, we are not strangers to sharing our experiences, ideas and thoughts, and having candid conversations over a good beer,” said Gerald Duhon, executive director of Cafe Reconcile. “Change can come from dialogue if we are open to listening, learning and leveraging our influence to initiate the transformation that needs to take place to create equity for the black community. This is one step toward Reconcile’s commitment to be a change agent on issues of racial equity.”
To learn more about the Zony Mash Beer Project visit www.zonymashbeer.com. To learn more about Café Reconcile, visit www.cafereconcile.org.
