At Triple Bottom Brewing in Philadelphia, trainees are given a fair chance – and learn to brew beer

A Philadelphia brewery is offering a unique opportunity to help people rebuild their lives after incarceration and other hardships with a training program that teaches the art of brewing.

At Triple Bottom Brewing, the story behind pouring a beer is one of redemption.

Tess Hart is co-founder and CEO of the brewery.

“I was raised by a social worker and community organizer. I grew up outside of Philly, so I was always aware of the need to provide more opportunities for the people of Philadelphia,” Hart said.

In August, the brewery launched a 16-week, fully paid brewery apprenticeship that provides on-the-job training for people impacted by the justice system, housing insecurity and gun violence.

“For me it’s more than just beer, it’s an opportunity. It’s a story. It’s about people realizing who we are as people,” said trainee Michelle “Melo” Burger.

“I have experienced that a job has changed my life. I truly believe a job can change a life,” Hart said.

Hassan Abbott, one of eight people in the brewery’s first vintage, was released from prison in 2021.

“I’ve always worked, always had jobs, but now – lately it’s been so difficult for me,” Abbott said.

Hart founded the brewery as a fair chance company and is now celebrating its fifth anniversary. Triple Bottom Brewing actively seeks to “employ people who might otherwise be excluded from the mainstream economy, including people who have been homeless or incarcerated,” according to the company’s website.

Training offers some of these opportunities.

“Being able to serve the beer really gave me the chance and opportunity to show people that I’m bigger than what people look at me,” Burger said. “They look at me as a mother with six children, that’s it.”

“It gave me hope,” said apprentice brewer Tariq Hampton. “It gave me the chance to believe in myself and never give up, no matter what your situation.”

This opportunity is what drives Hart.

“I’ve seen each of them work so, so hard against more obstacles than I’ve ever had to face in my life,” Hart said, “and I just hope that the rest of their community, the rest of our city, does Experience what they all have to offer.