Ericka Alston Buck
Special to the AFRO
In a candid conversation with the AFRO, Andrew and Jasmine Dill, the dynamic duo behind Liquid Intrusion Brewing Company (LIBCo), shared insights into how they balance their personal lives with their business endeavors. Together, the two have learned how to overcome challenges as pioneers in the craft beer industry, all while making a significant impact in Prince George’s County and keeping the flame in 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 in maintaining a healthy work-life balance?
LIBCo: We put everything on a calendar—personal plans, work schedules and business tasks. We even schedule our date nights. Creating boundaries is essential.
Communicating our needs and respecting each other’s space helps maintain harmony. We’ve been together since high school and know each other’s rhythms well. Each morning, we discuss our agendas to coordinate effectively, ensuring neither of us feels overwhelmed.
Q: As Prince George’s County’s first Black-owned brewery, what unique challenges have you faced in the craft beer industry? What have been your most significant triumphs in overcoming these obstacles?
LIBCo: Access to capital has been a major challenge, as funding opportunities for African Americans in the alcohol business are scarce. Despite systemic barriers, we’ve experienced significant triumphs, particularly the support from our community. People who look like us appreciate our efforts, often expressing gratitude for representing and breaking stigmas around Black people enjoying craft beer. This affirmation from our community is incredibly rewarding and motivates us to continue pushing forward.
Q: You mentioned that the pandemic was a twisted gift that allowed you to tap into new talents. Can you share more about how this challenging time influenced your decision to start brewing and eventually launch Liquid Intrusion Brewing Company?
Note: During the pandemic, Jasmine transitioned to working from home, while Andrew, who was a general manager at a beer bar, was laid off.
LIBCo: With more time on our hands, we started exploring homebrewing, which was initially a way to save money on beer. A significant turning point was when we were gifted a complete homebrew setup by the family of a U.S. Air Force veteran. We began experimenting with recipes, and the positive feedback from friends and family encouraged us to take the leap into brewing professionally. Our first successful batches, particularly the “DC Pale Ale” and the “Queen of Seven Seas IPA,” were pivotal moments that solidified our confidence in our brewing capabilities.
Q: You’re passionate about increasing diversity in the craft beer sector. What specific steps are you taking to promote more diverse representation in the industry, and what impact do you hope to achieve?
LIBCo: We make it a point to attend every event we’re invited to, ensuring we represent and communicate the challenges and successes of being Black-owned. We support other Black-owned breweries through collaborations and community building. Additionally, we hold non-Black-owned breweries accountable for cultural appropriation. Our aim is to change the industry’s predominantly White male image and highlight the rich history of beer, which originated in Africa, brewed by women. We also engage in advocacy on county, state and federal levels and ensure we always represent our brand professionally.
Looking ahead, once we have our brick-and-mortar location, we plan to host community outreach events, educational programs and job fairs. We aim to introduce the science behind brewing—its chemistry and biology aspects—to local high school students, demonstrating the diverse and viable career opportunities in this field.
Q: Where can our readers purchase your product?
LIBCo: You can find our products at various bars and restaurants, as well as beer and wine stores all over Maryland and Washington, D.C. We are available as far north as Frederick and as far south as Lexington Park in Saint Mary’s County, and in Ocean City. Notable accounts we’ve acquired in the year and a half we’ve been in the market include being the first Black-owned, self-distributed brewery at BWI Airport, located in Concourse C. We’re also at the Marriott International Headquarters in Bethesda, all World of Beers locations in Maryland, all Whole Foods in D.C., and all Southern Maryland Green Turtles locations in Maryland.
In the end, Andrew and Jasmine Dill’s journey from homebrewing during a global pandemic to pioneering as the first Black-owned brewery in Prince George’s County is a testament to their resilience, passion, and commitment to diversity.
Their story not only inspires but also sets a powerful example of how love and business can merge to create something truly impactful. With Liquid Intrusion Brewing Company, the Dills are not just brewing beer; they are brewing change and breaking barriers in the craft beer industry.
This article has been edited for brevity and clarity.