Bri Smith Leads Modist Brewing as Minnesota’s First Black Woman Head Brewer and a Force for Change

Trailblazer at Modist Brewing

Bri Smith has stepped into a history-making role. As of late May, she is the new head brewer at Modist Brewing Co. in Minneapolis. With this promotion, she becomes Minnesota’s first Black woman to hold such a position in the brewing industry.

Smith’s rise is more than a title. She represents change in a space that has long lacked diversity. Her leadership is helping shift craft beer toward a more inclusive and creative future.

A Career Born From Curiosity and Grit

Smith didn’t start out in brewing. She spent years working in restaurant service. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she joined Modist to deliver crowlers. It wasn’t long before she was moved to the packaging team. Then came the brewing role.

Modist took a chance on her, and Smith said yes to every opportunity. That path led her to the top of the brewery team. Her story shows what happens when hard work meets open doors.

Love for Beer Started With a Bold Stout

Smith’s first beer love was Old Rasputin, a strong Russian Imperial Stout. It was available year-round at a restaurant where she worked. While others avoided it, Smith kept going back.

That bold flavor opened the door to craft beer for her. Now, as a head brewer, she draws on that early passion to create her own unique beers. One of her favorites is a watermelon gose she brewed at Modist, using fresh watermelon cut and pureed in-house.

Championing Equity and Representation

Being the only Black woman brewer in Minnesota at one point was tough. Smith faced doubts, disrespect, and being tokenized. But she kept going. Now, she’s one of three Black women brewing in the state.

She says real change will only come when leaders stop gatekeeping and start teaching. “Equity brings change,” Smith explains. She wants people with power to invest in others who may not look like them.

Brewing Change Beyond the Taproom

Smith is an active member of the Brewing Change Collaborative (BCC), a group pushing for diversity and inclusion in the beer world. She’s been part of BCC for five years and even manages their social media.

She says BCC feels like family. The group has opened doors to tours, events, and deep friendships. It also offers support for people who often feel left out in the industry.

Pushing the Industry Forward

Smith sees progress but says the craft beer world still has a long way to go. She praises breweries like Arbeiter and La Doña for honoring community voices and staying rooted in inclusion.

To her, making space for Black women in brewing is not just about hiring. It’s about building workplaces where people feel welcomed, not just tolerated.

Final Thoughts From a Leader

Smith may be the first Black woman head brewer in Minnesota, but she doesn’t want to be the last. She believes anyone passionate about beer can find a place in brewing, as long as doors stay open.

Her advice? Keep saying yes. Keep making room. And never underestimate what someone can become when given the chance.