As of now you have most likely read the reports of sexism, racism, and discrimination among the craft beer industry. A topic we have been covering as it impacts the Pennsylvania craft beer landscape. The story here covers the subject in a very detailed fashion.
The latest brewery to find itself embroiled in accusations is Philadelphia based Evil Genius Brewing. As of Friday, May 21st the brewery has been named in a handful of accusations published by @Ratmagnet who has been sharing sweeping accusations of sexism, racism and discrimination within the industry.
According to a report from Forbes, Evil Genius co-owner Trevor Hayward has made the decision to step down from the board “after dozens of allegations of non-consensual sexual activity, racism and abusive behavior surfaced against his business partner, his managers and himself” Forbes reports.
Along with Hayward’s self-removal from the board, Erin Wallace (owner of Old Eagle Tavern in Manayunk, Devil’s Den in South Philadelphia, and Barren Hill Tavern & Brewery in Lafayette Hill) stepped down from the board in protest of “the continued board presence of Hayward and another man whose brewery has been accused of wrongdoing” Forbes confirms.
The report goes onto share the following in regards to the board:
“The controversial member who remains is Tom Kehoe, founder of the decades-old Yards Brewing and a highly respected figure in the community. Yards and its CEO and partner, Trevor Pritchett, are defendants in a lawsuit filed May 5 by former marketing and communications manager Gina Vasoli alleging the company fired her for getting pregnant. Pritchett says financial difficulties created by the construction of a huge new brewing facility and restaurant forced them to lay off the entire marketing team in 2019 and that the move had nothing to do with Vasoli’s pregnancy. Kehoe says he’ll attend an informal board meeting Monday, where he plans to “listen and learn.”
Changes at the board level are just the beginning. “Also on Thursday, PLB executive director Christina Dowd announced a code of conduct for breweries and venues participating in beer week, scheduled for June 4-13. That’s after she recommended that implicated board members step down, as well” the report states.
