Manager of Hofbrauhaus Pittsburgh in SouthSide Works reinstated after allegations of racism

© WTAE Manager of Hofbrauhaus Pittsburgh in SouthSide Works reinstated after allegations of racism

The manager of Hofbrauhaus Pittsburgh in SouthSide Works has been reinstated after allegations of racism were made following the Barrel and Flow Fest in September, Hofbrauhaus announced on Facebook Thursday.

The Barrel and Flow Fest, which is described as America's first Black arts and craft beer festival, was held on Sept. 11.

After the festival, they alleged Hofbrauhaus Pittsburgh harassed them throughout the planning and execution of the festival.

Pittsburgh's Action News 4 spoke to the founder of Barrel and Flow Fest, Day Bracey, on Thursday evening. He described the harassment targeted at artists, guests, and Hearcorp, the event's staging and light company.

“He refused to allow Black patrons to come in and out of his establishment, and he also dropped multiple slurs, and was accused of screaming in the faces of employees that were working at the festival, as well," Bracey said.

Organizers from the Barrel and Flow Fest were calling for disciplinary action to be taken against the Hofbrauhaus employee.

Hofbrauhaus Pittsburgh posted a statement on Facebook Thursday afternoon saying it has decided to provisionally reinstate its manager. Read the full statement below.

“The Hofbrauhaus Pittsburgh’s preliminary report from its independent legal counsel's investigation of the alleged claims of racial discrimination by one of its employees at the Barrel and Flow Beer Fest held on September 11, 2021, at the SouthSide Works has been concluded. The investigation included interviewing all available witnesses, reviewing video tapes, inspecting communications, and reviewing pertinent documents. While the investigation is ongoing, in the absence of evidence corroborating the allegations, the Hofbrauhaus has decided to provisionally reinstate its manager. We hope to finalize the investigation shortly.”

Bracey said this is a failure on Hofbrauhaus’ part and said the manager in question should be removed.

"I think that he is not deserving of the position that he’s in, and we also want to see them make steps to make sure this doesn’t happen again, and they don’t have a culture that fosters this type of behavior," Bracey said.

Bracey is set to meet next month with the legal team conducting the interview.

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