Like most industries, disruption is necessary and comes in many forms when you are looking to achieve greatness. The term disruptor, is more than a marketing buzz word and should be considered a complimentary description of those who are inspired to provide a unique perspective through making a positive impact regardless of the expectations set to maintain the status quo.
Imbibe Beer People of the Year from 2017, Dope & Dank, pairs perfectly with the LHBCo portfolio, vision and mission.
Lords and Hobos alike, we all deserve to drink like royalty. Teo and Beny of Dope & Dank have taken it a step further, to highlight one of the most important topics in the craft beer industry, which is diversity and inclusion or the lack thereof.
Taking on the challenge of building an inclusive brand is one that is never easy but always respected and required. We, at Lord Hobo Brewing Co., believe in the power of connectivity, regardless of the differences in who we are as people – beer is one of the best connectors of the world. Great craft beer is created to unify, so when we met Dope & Dank during our Los Angeles launch a few months back we knew right away that they would be a key partner in helping us achieve our mission of making world-class beer accessible to all no matter who they are.
We are proud to announce our official partnership with Dope and Dank, as their preferred craft beer of LA Beer Week! This is just the beginning of what we plan to achieve when it comes to activating alongside some of the best brands in the industry and leveraging our current market position and voice to work closely with those who believe that beer is an affordable luxury to be enjoyed amongst all.
We chopped it up with Founders of Dope & Dank, Teo and Beny during LA Beer Week and are amped to share this interview with you.
We’re huge fans of what you are creating, can you tell us more about your vision for Dope and Dank and how it relates to the bigger picture?
Teo: The big picture for Dope & Dank is for the palate of Black and Brown people be included into this evolving timeless beverage that is craft beer. For too long people of color have only been looked at as only consumers of alcohol and beer.
Beny: We’re excited to share the love of enjoying and sharing independent craft beer and more importantly influencing and creating beer that will be passed on from generation to generation.
What adversity if any have you encountered in trying to create a more inclusive environment for people of color in craft beer?
Teo: The largest obstacle we’ve faced in our journey is the idea of there being no issue with diversity. Most in the craft beer community have been hasty with their response of “Craft beer has no color”, or that “Craft beer is for everyone”. If the craft beer industry is willing to acknowledge that “Big Beer” has waged a war on “Independent Craft Beer”, we also have to acknowledge the impact “Big Beer” has had on targeting communities of color to drink the worst beer on earth. Dope & Dank is raising awareness to this and changing the landscape of the craft beer community.
How does craft beer play a role in connectivity as a whole?
Teo: Craft beer culture teaches community ownership and pride in the regional palate of the people. It offers a different way to enjoy beer, understand it’s ingredients, it’s process and the craftsmanship that brings it all together. Craft beer culture teaches us to respect techniques that were perfected by individuals that we may have never heard of, yet their process lives on. We can honor the past, incorporate the present and influence the future with great beer. That’s pretty damn cool!
What are you most proud of achieving so far in your journey?
Beny: Our 1st craft beer collaboration with El Segundo Brewing Co. called “Gotta Get It.” We did a Hazy IPA and West Coast IPA. Some have even said the West Coast IPA was on par with Pliny (wink).
Teo: Seeing the landscape of breweries and taprooms change before our very eyes and knowing we played a tiny part in affecting it.
How did you come to get to know Lord Hobo Brewing Co.?
Teo: We were already familiar with the brand from a previous beer trade. We were first formally introduced to Lord Hobo by one of our amazing creative collaborators, Willy (aka @simplysalem) and also one of our designers on our El Segundo Beer Co. collaboration. He called Teo on the phone as he was sharing a beer with Drea Hudson and simply said “You two have to be connected!”. Just like that, (a couple DM’s, a couple of texts, and a few beers later), Dope & Dank and Lord Hobo Brewing Co. were aligned (In true craft beer fashion). Once we both had an opportunity to explore each others brands, we knew 100% we had to work together.
If you could brew your own beer at our HQ in Woburn what style would you want to brew?
Teo: I think we’d take the road less traveled and go with a Porter. Nothing too dark or “motor oil” like or overly toasty. Just something crushable with mild complexity.
How can craft beer as a culture become better at being inclusive?
Beny: Sharing a pint and having a conversation! It’s also important to understand that mimicking a culture is not the same thing as inclusiveness. Everyone wants to make a Notorious B.I.G beer, but few breweries want 5 guys that look like Biggie to come in together to have beers.
What’s your favorite LHBCo beer?
Teo: Glorious is my shit! Galaxy hops are just incredible! It’s a big Pale Ale in my opinion that I enjoy having a couple of.
What is your biggest challenge in breaking through barriers of what craft beer currently is in relation to what you are invested in making it become?
Beny: Dope & Dank is invested in ensuring that the conversation around the lack of diversity in craft beer isn’t a one sided conversation, but rather one that reflects both perspectives. Afterall, how much of a community business can you be if only one group of the community recognizes themselves in the establishment/culture.
How can Lord Hobo Brewing Co., serve as more than a brewery but as a resource to brands such as Dope and Dank?
Teo: Lord Hobo has done quite a bit regarding acknowledging and providing resources to our Dope & Dank platform that aspires to do more than just be consumers of beer.
Beny: Contributing to our efforts, in our opinion, is the best way to grow the community of craft beer in an authentic way. This is way bigger than Dope & Dank.
When you’re getting your #HoboHustle on, what’s your playlist like?
Teo & Beny: Kendrick Lamar, Terrace Martin, N.E.R.D., Childish Gambino, Miles Davis, Tame Impala, Kaytranada, Black Keys, J Dilla, Fela Kuti, Solange, The Internet, B.I.G, Ice Cube, Stevie Wonder…You want some more???
Anything else that people show know about Dope and Dank?
Beny: Dope & Dank represents a lifestyle of progressive, trend setting creatives, content makers, musicians, influencers and people that appreciate dope shit.
Teo: Dope & Dank is more than about the beer you drink, it’s about finding and establishing community with like minds and minds to help evolve your way of thinking. Independent craft beer is the great neutral and we can’t wait to share a pint with you…let us show you how!
Catch the first ever LHBCo x Dope & Dank collaborative event during LA Beer Week at The Federal in NOHO! Grab your tickets, it’ll be a DOPE time – http://bit.ly/2ykSFp8