CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Weathered Souls Brewing Company, in lower South End, is currently Charlotte's only Black-owned brewery. It has been a voice for inclusion in the beer industry and has worked hard in that effort.
It's estimated that African Americans own less than 1% of craft breweries in the United States, according to a Brewers Association survey.
But on Friday, the brewery announced that it will be closing its kitchen on Saturday, Dec. 16. It added that the taproom will stay open "until further notice."
In a post on the brewery's Instagram page, Jamisen Booker, the chef at Weathered Soul, made the following statement:
"Through all of the hardships that we are faced in the past year and successes that we have had, we have always loved the Charlotte community. We appreciate everything that you guys do for us and everything that we can do for y’all."
It is unclear what exactly has led to this abrupt kitchen closing, but the outpouring of support on social media shows the amount of community support behind the business.
Hippin’ Hops Brewery, an Atlanta Black-owned brewery, plans to open in NoDA soon.