E309: Rival gang members are brewing up change at TRU Colors

Send us Fan MailTRU Colors Brewing is on a mission to end gang violenceWhen a shooting took the life of a young man in Wilmington, NC local businessman George Taylor wanted to do something about it.  You likely know some of Taylor's other businesses, like Untappd or National Speed.  Rather than just talking about making a change, Taylor contacted the local gang task force and spent two years getting to know gang members and the challenges they faced.  After careful consideration and identifying some of the roots causes of gang violence he founded TRU Colors Brewing.TRU Colors has a mission to end gang violence.  Not only by providing jobs but by offering support and education on how to know your self worth.  Fitness and nutrition classes, yoga, counseling, and discounted meals are some of offerings at the brewery.  80% of the breweries employee's are rival gang members.Spree is the Assistant Director of Marketing at TRU Colors, and an active gang member.  He was serving time in federal prison when he first heard about the brewery and their mission.  With some skepticism, he contacted them to see what they were about.  Spree shares how TRU Colors has made a difference in his life, the challenges faced living in "the hood," the appeal of joining a gang, and how he's taking what he's learned back to his community.Kevin was working at a local brewery when he heard about the mission of TRU Colors.  He was impressed with their goal and reached out to them to join the brewing team.  Kevin shares with us why he joined TRU Colors, some info on TRU Light (their flagship beer), and what's coming in the future from the brewery.TRU Light is an approachable beer to bring people togetherDeciding on what style to launch with wasn't a tough call.  The humble light lager is an easily approachable beer.  Us beer nerds may think our numbers are strong but there's no question the light lager captures way more people than any IPA or pastry stout.  Kevin tells us the brewery isn't even really about the beer, it's just a vehicle to fund the mission.  That said, they do have some fun collaborations in planning and we're told some hops will come into the mix.The Beer ListBoulevard Chocolate AleGood Word Divine Intervention Rice LagerEquilibrium Experiment and Enlightenment DIPARupee Premium Lager BeerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.Thanks for listening to Beer Guys Radio!  Your hosts are Tim Dennis and Brian Hewitt with producer Nate "Mo' Mic Nate" Ellingson and occasional appearances from Becky Smalls.Subscribe to Beer Guys Radio on your favorite app: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher  | RSSFollow Beer Guys Radio: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube If you enjoy the show we'd appreciate your support on Patreon.  Patrons get cool perks like early, commercial-free episodes, swag, access to our exclusive Discord server, and more!