So, I’m scrolling through my FaceBook feed the other day and came across an article about women brewers combining efforts to create a “Pussy Riot” beer just in time for the Trump inauguration. I just knew—OK, I hoped—one of my former students was involved. And I was right! Jen Cuesta (’14) is a lawyer by day, brewer by night. With friends Kate Power and Betsy Lay in Denver, Colorado, she co-founded Lady Justice Brewing (Lady J), one of the brewers toasting to a better world as the 45th President takes the oath of office.
Lady J is a “philanthropic brewery”– 100% of its profits for the new beer it debuts at tomorrow’s event, “Making Noise: A Pussy Riot Beer,” will go to the ACLU. I was curious about how a recent law graduate wound up brewing beer for social justice on Inauguration Day, no less. So I contacted Jen. An edited version of my interview follows.
Who and/or what is Lady Justice Brewing?
Lady Justice Brewing is a philanthropic brewery that donates all its profits over costs through a grant-making process to Colorado-based community organizations that promote the status and opportunity of women and girls. Lady J is also a L3C, a limited liability, low-profit company. It is a new tax designation that combines different parts of a for-profit company with the charitable goal of a non-profit.