82. Ides of February 2023: Onward and Upward

For Black History Month, we invited our friends, beer bloggers Edward Buhnai (aka @tdotdrinks) & Meoshi Nottage (aka @craftbeerphoenix), to curate our Ides release. They chose to pay tribute to Kathleen “Kay” Livingstone, a driving force behind the empowerment & advancement of Black women.

Born in London, Ontario in 1918, Kay studied music at the Royal Conservatory in Toronto before going on to a successful career as a stage actor & radio host. But Kay left her greatest legacy through her tireless activism. In 1951, Kay founded the Canadian Negro Woman’s Association, which encouraged pride & awareness in the Black community, provided scholarships to Black students & helped launch the Caribana festival. Kay also organized the first National Congress of Black Women in 1973.

One of Kay’s favourite phrases: “Onward and upward, lifting as we climb” became the motto for the Canadian Negro Women’s Association.

In 2011, Kay was designated a Person of National Historic Significance & a plaque dedicated to her memory was installed at 475 Yonge Street in Toronto.

Ed & Meoshi asked us to brew this indulgent Belgian Dubbel, which is dark brown in colour with a dry finish & complex flavours of dark fruit, chocolate, caramel, nuts & spice, to warm those who enjoy it during the winter months.