It’s hard work starting a business, especially in a competitive industry like Craft Beer. At Grandstand, we work with a wide range of breweries, ranging from large multi-location breweries to the little local bar in small town USA. We know their goals are the same… to make great beer and to keep people drinking it. That’s why each year, Grandstand awards a New Brewer Scholarship to a brewery-in-planning or a newly established brewery. The scholarship winners receive a prize package featuring printed glassware, apparel, promotional items and an expert assessment of their brand from 88 Design Group, to help get their brand off the ground. So how does a brewery win our scholarship? The rules are simple — tell us a good story.
This year the competition was closer than ever. Grandstand received more submissions than any year before; all great stories from great people who make great beer. Each entry was competing on the basis of originality, creativity and community engagement. This year’s winner excelled in all three of those categories, and they did it while breaking the glass ceiling in their city. We are excited to announce our 2018 New Brewer Scholarship Winner is Bold Missy Brewery of Charlotte, NC.
Bold Missy opened their doors in 2017 as the first 100% female-owned brewery in Charlotte, setting themselves apart with their unique beers, and beautiful label designs inspired by famous women in history — including Sally Ride and Amelia Earhart. Fans travel to visit Bold Missy from all over to participate in their fun philanthropic events, see their iconic “kiss” tap handles and, of course, taste their famous Trapper Keeper beer — a lemon peppercorn saison glitter beer, which earned them a place in viral internet history. Bold Missy truly embodies the originality, creativity, tenacity, and commitment to community that sets new breweries up for success. We’re excited to build a partnership with Bold Missy and support their initiatives. And We look forward to seeing what the next year brings for them.
The New Brewer Scholarship is an annual competition. If you are interested in applying in 2019, sign up for our email list. You’ll be the first to know when we start taking applications, and when we launch (subscriber exclusive) super-secret sales and other important happenings.