Supporters Back Montauk Brewing After Black Lives Matter Backlash

MONTAUK, NY — After a firestorm of controversy over the Montauk Brewing Company's support of Black Lives Matter, owners of the company have posted a letter to the public — and both a new Facebook page and a gathering Saturday are shows of support for the business in the face of the backlash.

As the anger-fueled comments spread on social media, another Facebook page, Save Montauk Brewing Company, was created. "This is a group to bring awareness to the persecution of the Montauk Brewing Company. Their tagline, 'Come as you are,' is about inclusivity. They also 'unequivocally, and unapologetically,' stand against racism and violence in any capacity," the page said.

Also, an event, "Support Montauk Brewing Company," has been organized for Saturday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event is hosted by Willie Jenkins, who has organized a number of "Black Lives Matter" rallies on the East End after the death of George Floyd.

"Due to the sudden and unfounded attack on the Montauk Brewing Company by the vile Facebook page, I say, 'Let's all go down there and show them how much we appreciate their stance on equality in this country and show them support!" he wrote. "I don't drink but I'll buy a couple beers for someone else. Come down and support them and show them there are good people in the world who applaud them stepping up and speaking out."

Montauk Brewing Company founder Vaughan Cutillo co-founded the business with brewmaster Eric Moss.

A letter to the public from management was posted on the Montauk Brewing Co.'s Facebook page Friday after a Facebook page created Wednesday, Defund Montauk Brewing Company, garnered more than 23,000 members, many of whom posted the words "Back the Blue" and vowed to boycott the brewery.

"We want to take a moment to address an important topic that has come up among our community of fans, retailers, distributors and friends, related to a social media post from June 3, 2020," the letter said.

"We are a small, community-based, 10-person business, that has always wanted all people to have good vibes — no matter who they are. Our tagline 'Come As You Are' is about inclusivity — we want everyone who likes beer to feel great. That has been our purpose from the day we opened Montauk Brewing Company."

In June, owners said, "we spoke up about an event that displayed racism and responded by donating to two non-profits, BEAM, focused on emotional/mental health and healing, and the NAACP. While our post received overwhelming support initially, recent responses made us realize that we should clarify and affirm our intent. our post was specifically in support of racial equality. We unequivocally, and unapologetically, stand against racism and violence in any capacity."

The letter continued: "We always have, and always will, support our police, first responders, nurses, doctors, fire departments, and the military for their unwavering help, protection, and selflessness. Because they are good people, doing good things, and protecting the good vibe mantra that our brewery stands for."

At the center of the heated debate is a photo of chalkboard sign outside the business that has been shared across social media.

The sign, which said, "The founders and team at Montauk Brewing Company support the movement with all our heart. Black Lives Matter," was written in chalk by Montauk Brewing Company founder Cutillo. "We have donated to and will continue to donate to support organizations that support the cause. Come as you are."

The words have incited fury among some who charge that the brewery does not support police. "This group is to bring awareness," the Defund Montauk Brewing Company Facebook page said. Montauk Brewing Company, the page said, made a "poor decision by supporting an anti-American terrorist group."

Members of the group are posting in support of businesses pulling the brew from their taps.

"There will be no Montauk Brewery Company items sold here! Back the Blue!" Timothy Nickels wrote.

Cutillo, who co-founded the business with brewmaster Eric Moss, spoke with Patch about the uproar.

"To be quite honest, in the last two days, this came out of nowhere," he said. "I don't know how or why this came about. As a company, our goals has always been to give people good vibes, no matter who they are. 'Come as you are,' has always been our message of inclusivity."

Montauk Brewing Company launched eight years ago and employs a staff of 10, Cutillo said; the business is community-minded and supports police, first responders, and all people from all walks of life, he said. The backlash his company is facing, he said, "is confusing."

Cutillo said the sign in question was handwritten by him, on June 3, more than two months ago, as a message of support for those experiencing racism and attacks, he said.

Montauk Brewing Company, he said, made donations to the not-for-profit organizations, the NAACP and the Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective, or BEAM. "We weren't donating to violence," Cutillo said. "That's not who we are."

The business, he said, wholeheartedly supports police and other first responders.

When the coronavirus crisis first hit, Cutillo and his staff hand-delivered care packages with T-shirts and other merchandise to local fire departments and police stations. "It's not nearly enough but it's a start," a post, showing a photo of the care packages, said. "Our team is spending time thinking of creative ways to give back and spread even more positive vibes."

Cutillo said the pandemic hit his business hard, as well. "We're a tiny company with 10 employees selling a lot of beer to loyal fans. We're a small, community, homegrown company."

Born and raised in the area, Moss' father is a retired police officer, Cutillo said. "We stand by our values but we also stand by our local police," Cutillo said. "There's a lot of anger and we want to mend relations with the men and women in the police department. But we are against racism. It's as simple as that."

Of the "Defund Montauk Brewing Company" Facebook page, Cutillo said he does not know the people who created it. "I don't know what to say besides we do respect police. We do not endorse or condone brutality between anyone."

A new Instagram post by the Montauk Brewing Company Friday said: "We have, and will, always support our local police, first responders, doctors, nurses, and fire departments. We also support equal rights for all."

"Little too late if you ask me," wrote Nan Cee on Facebook.

Others support Montauk Brewing Company. "There is a very wrong misconception with the Blue Lives Matter take. They would do so much more to support our police departments if they supported and encouraged the 'good apples' to stand up and do what's right — that is, call out the dirty problems and violent applications of unnecessary force by those 'bad apples' in the system.
That's how we end this relentless and illegal treatment of our Black, Indigenous, and people of color while also giving training and support to those hired by the taxpayer to 'protect and serve' each one of us equally," Kate Mueth said.

Some turned to social media to denounce the business and vow that they'd support only companies that were in support of law enforcement.

"Let's use this group to help businesses on Long Island flourish that are pro Trump and law enforcement during these tough times," Dee So-Moe wrote on Facebook. "Please list names of restaurants and other establishments from all over the island that we can support and give our business to."

Speaking on the past few days, Cutillo said: "These have been tough times. We're a small, local team trying to survive the pandemic. And now we have people coming to our community to stir up trouble. It's hurtful, but we will get through it. Our message has always been, 'Come as you are.' We welcome anybody. That's been our company motto, as we give back and work with the community."