WHAT’S LINK UP?

Link Up is a not-for-profit organization with the mission to diversify the beer industry by connecting talented Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) within the craft beer industry and providing financial assistance in their education.

WHAT’S OUR MISSION?

Our mission is to connect and uplift talented and passionate individuals from BIPOC communities within the craft beer industry to diversify it and make it more welcoming to consumers from any culture.

WHO’S BEHIND
LINK UP?

Link Up was founded by Aylmer, Québec brewery 5e Baron, and BAOS Podcast.  The organization was created out of a mutual belief that it is possible for the beer industry to look like the world around it, and that bringing BIPOC into every level of the craft beer scene can only make the industry better.

Link Up’s board members are:

JACOB BARRETTE - Co-Founder, 5e Baron

TIFFANY DAVEY - Producer, BAOS Podcast

DANIELLE DUCHESNE - Events Coordinator, 5e Baron

CHRISTOPHE PAQUETTE - Brand Ambassador, 5e Baron

CRAIG THORN - Founder, BAOS Podcast

STEPHEN WASHER - Co-Founder, 5e Baron

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Link Up consists of a multi-pronged approach to diversifying the craft beer industry. On the brewery side, we focus on education, whether that be assisting BIPOC applicants in their journey to become a Certified Cicerone®, or providing financial support via scholarships for a beer-related program in educational institutions.

We expose BIPOC individuals who are new to craft beer to the possibilities within the industry, whether they simply become drinkers or want to pursue a career, it all contributes to growing and diversifying the industry. We raise money to assist our BIPOC applicants via our three annual collaboration series, our Link Up Got Bars Tap Program, and donations.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A LINK UP PARTNER BREWERY?

Partnering with Link Up is about more than just brewing a collaboration beer and slapping Link Up’s logo on it. Every brewery that partners with Link Up is making a commitment to be part of the solution, by taking on a BIPOC co-op student or apprenticeship applicant from the program, and sharing their open job opportunities on Link Up’s The Plug job board.

WHAT IF I’M ALREADY IN THE CRAFT BEER INDUSTRY?

Link Up are working on a job board for their website called The Plug, which will list all current open roles in the craft beer industry in one convenient location. Breweries and other industry-adjacent companies are encouraged to send links to open positions to social@linkupbeer.org. 

HOW CAN I APPLY?

If you are a BIPOC individual who wants to get involved in the craft beer industry, Link Up wants to hear from you!  Regardless of your experience, or which area of the scene interests you, we want to help you get there.  Apply here!

WHAT HAPPENS ONCE I APPLY?

After you've filled out our application form, Danielle will get in touch to arrange an interview where we’ll discuss the direction you’d like to take in craft beer and the options that are available to you. Danielle will make a recommendation to the team, who will take the next steps with you - whether that will be connecting you with a brewery for an open role or an apprenticeship, setting you up with a Cicerone scholarship, or another path that aligns best with your goals.