Blackbird Brewery was honored to be represented at the recent Craft Beer Professionals Conference in Charlotte this June—and we were crow-from-the-rooftops proud to see our own Harmony VanGundy take the mic on a powerhouse panel: “Weathering the Storm: Navigating Crisis and Overcoming Unforeseen Challenges.”
Hosted at Triple C Brewing, CBP Charlotte was packed with great beer, smart people, and conversations that went way beyond hops and ABVs. Harmony joined forces with Jud Watkins of Wrightsville Beach Brewery to dive into what it really looks like when breweries face the unexpected—from natural disasters to busted supply chains—and how we come out stronger on the other side. The key takeaway: it’s not a matter of if a crisis will occur, but about proactive planning and preparedness.
Real Talk from Real Experience
If you’ve ever met Harmony, you know she’s equal parts fierce and funny, with a gift for cutting through the noise and speaking from the heart. In true Harmony fashion, she took a thoughtful detour during the panel to share a few insights that hit close to home.
Even if a bit off-topic, there were two particularly poignant points. First, she spoke of her family’s immigration to Western North Carolina in the 1700s – a point she had to get in there! Second, and significantly, she recognized the growing presence of women in the craft beer industry. Harmony noted that when she first started, the ratio was starkly skewed, with 5 women to every 100 men. At this conference, the representation was remarkably balanced, nearing 50:50, a testament to the industry’s evolving landscape.
She also shared stories of coordinating supply drops for WNC after Hurricane Helene, emphasizing the widespread devastation seen in certain areas and the technical infrastructure differences between coastal and mountainous regions. Harmony stressed the importance of brewery preparedness and how communities can continue to support neighbors who are still struggling to rebuild. Her message resonated deeply: if you love your community businesses, truly support them by buying from them, not just talking about it or visiting once a year.
Planning for the Hard Stuff
The panel wasn’t just about reflection—it was about actionable strategy. Topics on the table included understanding how to create flexible crisis management plans, implementing effective communication strategies for all stakeholders during disruptions, and identifying ways to engage teams and local partners in collaborative, values-driven recovery efforts.
Harmony brought insight, grit, and heart—and left the room better for it. She and Jud also acknowledged Frank Bloom, of the future Stagehand Brewing Company, for his significant role in the WNC recovery efforts. In the face of hardship, it’s people like Frank who remind us what community truly means—and we couldn’t be more grateful.
We’re incredibly proud of Harmony for representing Blackbird Brewery and sharing our commitment to resilience, community, and action on such a meaningful stage. Her voice—and the voices in that room—served as a powerful reminder that craft beer has always been about more than what’s in the glass. It’s about the people behind it, the partnerships that sustain it, and the readiness to step up when the unexpected comes knocking.
Vote for Us — N&O’s Raleigh’s BEST!
We’re thrilled to share that Blackbird Brewery has been nominated in the News & Observer’s Raleigh’s BEST awards—and we couldn’t be more honored! Find us in the following subcategories under “Eat & Drink.”
- Bar / Tavern
- Date Night Spot
- Beer Selection
- Brewery
We pour our hearts (and a lot of hops) into every batch—if you love our beer and good vibes, help us snag the win! Voting is open through July 25th at 5:00 PM.
Click here to cast your vote and help us take the top spot! You can vote daily, so keep showing the love.
Thank you for your support — we can’t wait to raise a glass with you soon.
