Erica Alston Buck
Specially Afro
In a frank conversation AfroAndrew and Jasmine Dill, the dynamic duo behind Liquid Intrusion Brewing Company (LIBCo), shared their insights on juggling their personal and business lives. Together, they’ve learned how to overcome the challenges of being pioneers in the craft beer industry, making a huge impact in Prince George’s County, and keeping the flame of their marriage burning bright.
Q: How have you managed to balance your personal relationship with the demands of running a business together? What strategies have you found most effective for maintaining a healthy work-life balance?
LIBCo: We put everything on our calendars: personal commitments, work schedules, work tasks, even dating. Setting boundaries is essential.
Communicating our needs and respecting each other’s space helps us maintain harmony. We’ve been together since high school, so we know each other’s rhythms well. We discuss each other’s schedules every morning and coordinate effectively so neither of us feels overwhelmed.
Q: As the first Black-owned brewery in Prince George’s County, what unique challenges have you faced in the craft beer industry? What have been your biggest successes in overcoming these obstacles?
LIBCo: “Funding opportunities for African Americans are rare in the alcoholic beverage industry, and access to capital has been a huge challenge. Despite the institutional barriers, we have experienced great wins, especially support from the community. People like us recognize our efforts and express gratitude for representing and breaking the stigma of Black people enjoying craft beer. This kind of affirmation from the community is very rewarding and motivates us to keep moving forward.”
Q: You’ve said that the pandemic was a twisted gift that helped bring out new talent. Can you elaborate on how this challenging time influenced your decision to start brewing and ultimately start Liquid Intrusion Brewing Company?
Note: During the pandemic, Jasmine transitioned to working from home and Andrew, who was the general manager of the beer bar, was laid off.
LIBCo: With more free time on my hands, I started homebrewing initially as a way to save money on beer. My big break came when a family member of a US Air Force veteran gifted me a full homebrewing set-up. I started experimenting with recipes and received positive feedback from friends and family, which gave me the courage to brew professionally. My first successful batches, especially DC Pale Ale and Queen of Seven Seas IPA, were key moments that solidified my confidence in my brewing abilities.
Q: You’re passionate about increasing diversity in the craft beer industry. What specific steps are you taking to promote more diverse representation in the industry, and what effect do you hope to achieve?
LIBCo: We attend every event we are invited to, making it our mission to represent and communicate the challenges and successes of being Black-owned. We support other Black-owned breweries through collaboration and community building. Additionally, we hold non-Black-owned breweries accountable for cultural appropriation. Our goal is to change the predominantly white male image of the industry and highlight the rich history of beer originating in Africa and brewed by women. We also participate in advocacy efforts at the county, state, and federal levels, always representing our brand professionally.
Future plans for the company, once it has a brick-and-mortar location, include hosting community outreach events, educational programs and career fairs, aiming to introduce local high school students to the science behind brewing – the chemistry and biology aspects – and show them the diverse and viable career opportunities in the field.
Q: Where can our readers buy your products?
LIBCo: Our products are available in a variety of bars, restaurants, and beer and wine stores throughout Maryland and Washington DC, from as far north as Frederick to as far south as Lexington Park in St. Mary’s County and Ocean City. Notable accounts we’ve acquired in the year and a half since entering the market include the first black-owned, in-house distributed brewery in Concourse C at BWI Airport. We are also available at Marriott International headquarters in Bethesda, every World of Beers in Maryland, every Whole Foods in DC, and every Southern Maryland Green Turtles location in Maryland.
Ultimately, Andrew and Jasmine Dill’s journey from starting homebrewing during a global pandemic to pioneering Prince George’s County’s first Black-owned brewery is a testament to their resilience, passion, and commitment to diversity.
Their story is not only inspiring, but also a powerful example of how love and business can come together to create something truly impactful. With Liquid Intrusion Brewing Company, the Dills are not just brewing beer; they’re changing the craft beer industry and breaking down barriers.
This article has been edited for brevity and clarity.
