#30 Use beer as a catalyst for change: Gabe Barry, Brooklyn Brewery

Following a decade working in New York State craft beer; Gabe Barry says moving to Paris was like switching to lambics after only ever drinking German Pilsner.

Despite her new surroundings, Brooklyn Brewery’s education manager of Europe explained one thing remains the same and that’s the power beer has as a catalyst for positive social change.

“It’s been a leap into being humbled, exercising patience and a lot of waiting. A big change of pace after eight years of living in Brooklyn,” she explains.

From visa issues and learning French, to education focused objectives such as no longer having a brewery to teach in, it was a period of going back to the basics for Brooklyn Brewery’s education manager of Europe.

Barry says: “Rather than jumping in head first with brand new projects, I’ve been observing a lot. In 2014 I created my first education based position for Brooklyn Brewery and I honestly feel like I misstepped a bit that round. I came out of the gate guns blazing with all these ideas about what I wanted to do, what other people needed – ready to just ‘fix everything’.

“It caused a lot of extra work for me but also taught me about communication, expectations and intentionality. As Brooklyn has grown to be a bit of a global brewery; it’s important we remember to strive and meet the needs of the local community rather than rolling up and telling a drinking culture what they need.”

She spends around two thirds of her time on the road, which makes the work/life balance a “certain kind of ballet” but also a lifestyle that affords her to experience different beer communities all around Europe.

Barry explains: “Working with Brooklyn Brewery has given me this gift for years of being supported on weird ideas I’ve had and then encouraged into making them realities. This year I’ve done a lot of reflecting on past projects I’ve worked on and seeing where they fit on this side of the pond.

“Looking again at things like curriculums on beer linguistics for bartenders all the way to more elaborate dinner series programs I ran with my mentor, Garrett Oliver. I’ve been really looking not only at what would work here but what would support and add value for the uniquely different beverage communities around the world.”

Barry admits that over the years, she has fallen in love with the idea of ‘the non-traditional classroom’ or more simply; the bar or shared drinking space.

She adds: “I think bars have historically been the centre point of social change for centuries and so naturally craft beer has fallen into its rightful place as a tool or catalyst for something bigger.

“One of my favourite things about this year has been seeing the way breweries and beer communities are becoming both more sustainable and technically efficient and yet we’re also going back to the basics- with our beers and with ourselves.

“We’re back to the idea of the water hole, pub, bar or tasting room be the centerpiece of our ecosystems culturally connecting community with the hopes of a greater good. It’s a reality I’m excited about supporting while using beer education as the medium for changing the world.”