If you’re a beer lover with an Instagram account, you’ve likely come across Geriz Ramirez’s hand. Specifically, his left. It appears in most of his photos—his handle is @beerwithflavor—and acts as something of a virtual pedestal, prominently displaying cans or bottles that meet his definition of deliciousness. The beers are the centerpieces, though he usually picks a backdrop of colorful street art to offset them.
In addition to exhibiting his dexterity with packaged beer (he can hold two 750ml bottles upright in one hand), Ramirez also holds the role of general manager at Other Half Brewing Company in Brooklyn, New York. Drinkers around the world know the brewery for its proficiency in Hazy IPAs, but it’s also proving to be an industry leader at a time of enormous uncertainty and stress.
With most of the country’s 8,000-odd beer makers battling to survive the coronavirus pandemic that has closed taprooms and eroded economic lifelines—all without a road map to return to what will certainly be a new normal—Other Half has helped launch “All Together": an initiative with the mission of raising awareness, and money, for those in the severely affected hospitality industry.
Similar to past initiatives like Sierra Nevada Brewing Company’s Resilience, in that Other Half is inviting brewers worldwide to collaborate on a single beer, All Together has made available an open-source IPA recipe that can be modified to either Hazy or West Coast specs. To help make production costs as low as possible, Stout Collective, a Chicago branding agency, is providing free label art, while Ohio’s Blue Label Digital Printing will print the labels at cost. In exchange, participating breweries pledge to donate a portion of proceeds from the sales to hospitality professionals in their respective communities.
To date, more than 700 beer makers in 48 states and 51 countries have joined the cause.
Unsurprisingly, Ramirez is doing his part to spread the word, Instagramming as many versions as he can get his hand on. The photos reflect his trademark style, though, instead of vibrant murals, a banner emblazoned with the All Together artwork serves as the backdrop.
Each post is a reminder of an industry that remains united and resilient in the face of adversity. An industry that is still working hard, together, to bring fresh, delicious beer to the public.
And that certainly deserves a hand.
