Salem Brewer Spurs 'Watershed Moment' In Craft Beer Industry

SALEM, MA — A callout on social media from a Salem brewer to share stories of sexist comments, sexual harassment and other inappropriate behavior within the industry has drawn more than 1,000 responses and led to resignations nationwide from those cited in the accusations.

Brienna Allan, the production manager at Notch Brewing of Salem, two weeks ago posted on her Instagram account about a comment she received and invited those who have had similar experiences to share their stories. Since then, she has filled 10 Instagram stories with responses that range from customers assuming a brewer is a bartender or other staff member because she is a woman to accusations of sexual abuse within the craft beer industry.

"This is obviously gaining a lot of traction right now," Smith said in an Instagram post on May 15. "I want to say these are NOT my accounts, they are being sent to me anonymously and I am sharing these brave stories."

She sought to clarify that the stories shared were not about experiences that occurred at Notch Brewing.

Notch Brewing owner Chris Lohring issued a statement on the brewery's Facebook account in full support of Smith and her efforts.

"The events that unfolded in the craft beer world last week have been unnerving but unfortunately not surprising to anyone working in our industry," he said, adding "one careless and sexist comment by a contractor working at our new brewery job site" was a catalyst for Allan's initial May 11 post and the ensuing overwhelming response.

Lohring called Allan's posts and the subsequent reckoning "a watershed moment in our industry, and it came with long-overdue consequences."

"Last week I asked Brienne what we could do to support her, either personally or from the company, and her answer was that we already were, by simply allowing her to share these stories," Lohring said. "I felt a statement from a male owner would present itself as opportunistic, or undermine Brienne's efforts.

"Sometimes as an owner, it is best to just get out of the way. But to those who wanted a statement of Notch supporting her, this is it, we stand by her 100%. But words are cheap, signs fade and flags wear away. Actions are what count, and I'm confident Notch will continue to act in a way that attracts the caliber of a person like Brienne Allan."

Patch reached out to Notch Brewing but did not immediately hear back prior to publication.

Allan posted on Tuesday that Notch has brewed "Brave Noise Pale Ale" in honor of what she said are "all the brave victims that spoke out the last two weeks."

Notch will release the 4.5 percent ABV, dry-hopped "wheat-heavy pale ale" on June 2. The brewery plans a fundraiser on June 10.

"If you see something, say something," she said in posting a link to the Brewers Association Code of Conduct. "You are all SO BRAVE for reaching out to me and telling your stories.

"Let's go and change this."

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)