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D.C. CRAFT BREWERS S ON COMMUNITY, B WORDS BY KELSEY COCHRAN The American craft beer industry is full of great small brewers all over the U.S. For someone outside of the beer world, it may seem impossible to stand out from the crowd when there are so many brewers vying for the attention of the consumer. But those entrenched in the world of craft beer know the most important part of being in the industry is supporting their fellow brewmasters and uplifting their community. According to the Brewer’s Association, there were only 12 craft breweries located in D.C. proper as of 2019. But, when you take the surrounding states of Maryland and Virginia into account, there are hundreds of breweries perfecting 16 | AUGUST 2020
their craft. Instead of being in competition with one another, these brewers often end up working together and have created a tight-knit community. According to Kofi Meroe, co-founder of Sankofa Beer Company, this closeness is further reinforced for the minority brewers in the area. “We’re a small community,” he says. “We all know each other for the most part.” Meroe, who founded Sankofa with his cousin Amado Carsky roughly seven years ago, started his business like many other beer enthusiasts: by purchasing a home brew kit and hoping for something drinkable.
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