NOT TOO LONG AGO , YOU WOULDN ’ T FIND ANY — or many — women in positions of power in distilleries . Today we ’ re seeing more female master distillers joining the ranks . Women are now in leadership roles throughout the beverage alcohol industry .

It ’ s a similar story with people of color — it took more than 100 years for Nathan “ Nearest ” Green , a Black , formerly enslaved distiller , to get credit for teaching a young Jack Daniel how to make whiskey . The number of BIPOC- ( Black , Indigenous , People of Color ) and Black-owned brands is growing , thanks in part to the ways in which they help each other while benefiting the industry as a whole .

Beverage brands owned by or in support of the members of the lesbian , gay , bisexual , trans , and queer community have been gaining much-deserved recognition — not just during Pride Month in June , but throughout the year . While the overall share of these brands on remains small on Drizly , the LGBTQIA + category has expanded since its introduction to the alcohol delivery platform in 2021 , with unprecedented variety among the products .

But as far as we ’ ve come in terms of diversity , equity and inclusion , the controversy this year caused by Bud Light ’ s brief association with transgender social media influencer Dylan Mulvaney — and the resulting boycott of the popular beer brand — shows that there is still quite a ways to go . Bud Light found that it can be painful to break with tradition and try something different , especially in today ’ s polarized society . But sometimes when the smoke eventually clears , such highly publicized backlash may actually help break down barriers and foster acceptance .

The world is a big diverse place and always has been . People that have been marginalized for far too long by gender , race , religion sexual preference or identity and more , have come to the forefront and refuse to stay in or return to the shadows . We salute the companies and leaders that support them and aim to make a difference with DEI .

Melissa Dowling Editor

Diageo supports historically Black colleges and universities , results from the latest Women Raising the Bar study , and more

We visited the Lynchburg , TN , distillery for an immersive look at the women behind the storied whiskey By Melissa Dowling

How beverage companies owned by Black entrepeneurs have been increasing in size and number By Kyle Swartz

Female leaders in beverage alcohol share their backgrounds , inspirations and role models By Melissa Dowling

2023 Beverage Industry Inclusion 3