PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A Philadelphia fair chance brewery partnered with a former prison to craft opportunities for people who may otherwise be excluded from the mainstream economy.
Triple Bottom Brewing and Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site in Fairmount have joined to create the Fair Chance Beer Garden, on the baseball field of the old prison. The all-new Purpose Pale Ale will be available to purchase, along with other Triple Bottom craft beers.
The garden will create jobs, with many going to those who have experienced homelessness or incarceration. Brewery cofounder Tess Hart said this opportunity helps to expand Triple Bottom's mission to the broader public.
"It helps people engage in this idea of re-entry and how it's a part of all of our communities, that we can all play a role in this ecosystem of developing equity and inclusion and opportunity."
Sean Kelley, Eastern State's senior vice president, said they had similar goals.
"We began in 2016 to seek out people who had the experience of incarceration, to join our organization," he explained.
"We do not highlight these employees, they are just our coworkers. Their privacy is important to us, but it's a value of our organization and it's a value of Triple Bottom Brewing as well."
Guests are encouraged to participate in activities and conversations about equity, inclusion, and opportunity.
The beer garden is part of Eastern State's new "Night Tours." Summer Twilight tours run on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, beginning May 7. Ticket information is available at Eastern State's website.