While millions of people around the country continue to mourn and speak out against last week’s police murder of Minneapolis resident George Floyd, systemic racism, and police brutality, one brewery in Illinois has taken a particularly controversial stance.
Natalie White, the co-owner of Steam Hollow Brewing, based in the small town of Manteno, stated on her Facebook page: “George Floyd isn’t dead, he is a porn star/actor who knows the officer, who isn’t even a real officer. Wake the f up.”
Obviously, Not a Shared Opinion
Of course, that outrageous claim comes in stark contrast to the response from other breweries in Minneosta, Illinois, and elsewhere.
One Chicago brewery, Half Acre Beer Company, posted: “We support our neighbors locally and nationally in the demand for justice and lasting change. Should you choose, you could donate the money you would have spent on beer today to one of the solid organizations helping to create equality for all. Black Lives Matter.”
Now as protests continue to grow worldwide in reaction to the video of a Minnesota police officer suffocating Floyd at the neck for nearly nine minutes.
For most of those associated with the beer industry, Floyd’s murder coupled with other of injustice including the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and countless others, have sparked social justice conversations, and activism.
Weathered Souls Brewing, based in San Antonio-based, launched Black is Beautiful, a national collaboration initiative with breweries around the country to raise proceeds for locals foundations support police brutality reform.
The Illinois Craft Brewers Guild posted:
“We are struggling to find the words to express our sadness. We are grieving the life of Mr. Floyd and so many others, and devastated by a broken system that fails to protect [people of color]. And even though the craft beer industry has its share of challenges, we are reflecting on how we can be part of the change.”
The guild continued by asking their followers to join them in donating to a list of organizations they provided.
When asked about Steam Hollow Brewing’s inflammatory stance, Porch Drinking reported that Danielle D’Alessandro, Executive Director of the Illinois Guild, responded, “Steam Hollow is not a member and the views expressed by the owners do not reflect those of the guild.”
The Incident and the Claim
Steam Hollow’s commentary began on Monday, June 1st, the night before the viral social media movement #BlackoutTuesday. Worst Beer Blog, first picked up on the brewery’s posts and subsequent exchanges.
In the first entry, brewery owners Natalie and Blane White posting under Steam Hollow Brewing’s account recounted that they had left for a family bike ride and were unaware of any protests that had been planned.
The Whites went on to add “A car of women behind us starting throwing their protest signs up (no problem) and yelling about us being racists and raising racist kids. This whole thing took no more than 10 seconds as we wait for the light to change and on our way out we did calmly say, ‘hey, this guy might not even be dead.’”
It’s part of a conspiracy theory that seems to have surfaced last week on YouTube, notably from the channel known as JonXArmy. The 22-minute video, and resultant Facebook and Tweet shares, often with ties to the QAnon group(s), had reached nearly 1.5 million people by Monday, according to CrowdTangle, a social media monitoring website
However, protesters claim that the incident was instigated by the White family first.
Porch Drinking interviewed the Steam Hollow Brewing owners and asked whether they stood by their statement that George Floyd’s murder was fake.
“We do have opinions and beliefs on the current situations at hand and our government pushing events to get the results they want,” said Natalie White. “Whether thinking George Floyd is alive or not is not racist. It’s not meant to take away from anyone’s rights to protest or demean what happened. Nor were we trying to be disrespectful. We have a right to our belief and none of which equate to being racist.
“At the end of the day, its unfortunate that we had to be in that situation with our kids. It would have been better if we could have waited at the corner peacefully for the light to change without being yelled at. Even better if we didn’t comment out on our own views, At the end of it all, we have no hate in our hearts. Opinionated, and hold different views from some, yes, but we are for all people coming together and not being divided.”
The tone they portrayed on social media, though, led to further challenges about their views on race. One person likened the protesters to cockroaches and when Porch Drinking asked for a response about the person who used the term cockroach, the couple explained: “That wasn’t our comment and it wasn’t acknowledged or responded to by us.”
And yet the screen capture of the thread shows otherwise.
“This thread was in reference to the protests that were close to us near Tinley Park and their (sic) alleged looting in shopping centers and also reports of not peaceful protesters being bused in from the city to just south of us. Manteno businesses were closing down as a precaution to all that.”
Natalie and Blane White went on to say, “Any post regarding “shooting them” was referring to violent protesters (as it was erroneously being reported at the time) that would come into our businesses or homes. You see whats going on in the city, and then you hear that its headed toward you, your going to protect yourself,” White continued.
“Its not about race, it doesn’t matter the color of the rioter, its referring to anyone breaking the law and criminalizing your property. I do not see where cockroach was referring to African Americans in what was posted, and not understanding why that is being assumed.”
Meanwhile, The Open Bottle, a craft beer store located in Tinley Park posted on Twitter the next day, when protests remained a threat:
“Craft beer is an inclusive community, & we proudly demonstrate that in every decision we make. We want our children growing up in a world full of love, compassion, & understanding. Let’s build one together by calling out racism whenever we see it in our digital & real worlds, & start understanding that we are different but have more in common as fellow human beings.”
Steam Hollow Takes Down Its Social Media
Steam Hollow’s attempt to clarify their positions on social media and point the finger at protesters has struck a chord with the Illinois craft beer community, including local beer journalist, Chalonda White, who is better known by her social media handle, Afro.Beer.Chick. White reflected on her interaction with the brewery when she and her husband last visited as well as her reaction to the brewery’s posts.
“I thought it was B.S. I could not believe what I had read. Nick and I went down there in October. We took pictures with these people. I didn’t get that vibe from them, so to turn around and see this and see this is how [Natalie White] feels. I mean, I can’t stand closeted racists. I would rather someone who is upfront, so then I know not to deal with you,” said Chalonda White.
She added, “[They] know how social media works. Everybody knows how social media works! You make one post the way they did, and all it takes is a screenshot to circulate, I mean, they made a conscious decision to do this. So, now they want to play the victim? I’m not buying it. That’s the problem. Most people do crap like this, and then they want to be forgiven for doing it knowing what was going to happen. So, any consequences. Any loss of business. I don’t care. I don’t feel for them.
“They are canceled.”
White continued, “This [Steam Hollow incident] is definitely proof that we have a long way to go. It shows that we are nowhere near where we need to be, even in the brewing industry. It is showing you who the closeted ones are. So, Honestly. I’m glad this happened. Now we know who [Natalie White] is.”
After receiving feedback from the community, Steam Hollow Brewing has since deleted its Facebook page and set its Instagram account to private.
Meanwhile, Other Illinois Breweries Offer Support
While Steam Hollow received justified blow back, other breweries in the state have continued to offer their support.
In a statement, Marz Brewing said: “We believe in our community and our right to fight for justice. We believe that Black Lives Matter and it’s on all us of to contribute to the movement. We will be donating to the Chicago Community Bond Fund to help. All net proceeds from the sales of beer in the taproom this week will go to the Fund. If you would like to give directly to the Chicago Bond Fund and additional groups giving aid, or get more info, check the link in our [Instagram] bio.”
Revolution Brewing added: “The massive wave of protests — both here in Chicago and nationwide — have shined a light on the systematic inequalities that challenge our neighborhoods. Many of those advocating for justice and change are our friends, neighbors, and co-workers. We support their demands for lasting transformation and equality for all and will also support their efforts to heal and recover. Our strength builds when we stand together to demand the change we want in our world.”
Pipeworks Brewing Co. tweeted:
— Pipeworks Brewing Co (@PipeworksBrewin) June 3, 2020
Noon Whistle Brewing tweeted:
NWBCO is proud to announce our participation in the Black is Beautiful initiative, a collaborative effort amongst the brewing community. 100% of the profits will be donated to a local foundation that supports police brutality reform.https://t.co/Y68YrJARAS#blackisbeautiful pic.twitter.com/t3BcGkSV5A
— Noon Whistle Brewing (@NoonWhistle) June 3, 2020
Metropolitan Brewing tweeted:
— Metropolitan Brewing (@MetroBrewing) May 29, 2020
About Steam Hollow Brewing Co.
At Steam Hollow Brewing Co. we know that the recipe for great tasting beer starts and ends with people. Manteno is our home and we are proud to represent the area with its very own microbrewery. At Steam Hollow, our philosophy will be reflected in the way we treat our employees, customers, and community. The origins of our love of craft beer started with people, and drinking craft beer with people we enjoy. Read More
