This past weekend, husband and wife owners Ian and Harmony VanGundy represented Blackbird Brewery at the NC Rare & Vintage Beer Tasting in the Historic Durham Athletic Park. The festival celebrates beer culture by providing the opportunity to taste beers you would never get to try outside of living near the brewery or attending a similar event. This weekend did not disappoint! Harmony and Ian enjoyed tasting beers they can’t normally find in our area, received a lot of positive feedback, and reconnected with long time fans and friends.
Both Harmony and Ian had attended the NC Rare & Vintage Beer Tasting before, but always on behalf of other breweries. Knowing it was an honor and privilege to be invited to this exclusive event, they were humbled to be included in their first year in business! Ecstatic to finally represent their brand and themselves at this premiere event, they wanted to share their thoughts:
“We both hold this event near and dear to our hearts as it brings not only some of the savviest craft beer fans to the table, but it is also a wonderful networking opportunity to meet some of the best breweries from across the country. It’s an event where customers actually care about what they are drinking. And to be featured alongside the likes of Benchtop Brewing, Bluejacket, Firestone Walker, Interboro, Resident Culture and The Veil is so exciting!”
This event serves as a fundraiser and awareness campaign for The Michael James Jackson Foundation for Brewing & Distilling. The foundation funds technical education and career advancement for black, indigenous, and people of color in the brewing and distilling industries. Blackbird Brewery was happy to donate beer to support this worthy cause.
When asked about their favorite part of the event, they easily answered that it’s the industry connections they are able to make. The festival brings the best breweries from all over the country, and owners and head brewers man the booths. The brewing business is collaborative and it’s unique to have the opportunity to meet and greet these industry leaders.
Learn more about the NC Rare & Vintage Beer Tasting
Learn more about The Michael James Jackson Foundation for Brewing & Distilling
