Charles Dorsey owns and runs Montgomery Brewing Company, an hour's drive southwest of Minneapolis, Minnesota in the farmland town of Montgomery. His brewery operates within the walls of the historical building that housed the original Montgomery Brewing Company. Known as Chuck, he stewards the brewing legacy of the town and the distinction of being among the 1% of craft breweries in the nation that are black-owned.
More than a business, the brewery is a balance between tradition and innovation. In a town that has become a steadfast supporter, Chuck wears the mantle of representing black-owned breweries with pride recognizing the significance of his role in an industry where diversity remains a rarity. Within the narrative of Montgomery Brewing, Chuck revels in the joy that beer, a timeless connector, brings people together. Through every challenge and triumph, he finds a source of fun and fulfillment in uniting individuals over shared experiences and finely crafted brews.
As Chuck and his dedicated team enter the ninth year of operation navigating the ever-evolving landscape of the brewing industry, take a read of Action by Volume – Montgomery Brewing Company. In my Substack publication, Photo Stories w/ Anderson English https://lnkd.in/evkFYZhY Chuck answers some questions reflecting on the highs and lows of the journey, the financial challenges, and the universal day-to-day intricacies of brewery ownership. While operating in a rural landscape may pose unique challenges, from expanding distribution to diversifying revenue streams, Chuck also talks about his commitment to normalizing diversity from taproom, to label, to the beer industry itself, adding an extra layer of purpose and challenge to his endeavors.
*This post is part of a self-funded photography project called Action By Volume (ABV), highlighting minority-owned breweries across the nation. The mission, through photography and text, is to be an advocate for minority-owned breweries, illustrating the common ground of beer can be a conduit for discussion, a catalyst for education and change, and a significant gain for the local community.
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