Pouring is Personal: A Love Letter from Co-Founder Lindsay Malu Kido

Ever since turning 21, I’ve been immersed in the craft beer industry, both as a professional and a consumer. I loved exploring the beer scene, meeting people at bars and breweries, and discovering the endless options for the ever-adventurous drinker. The community felt like home.

But as much as I loved the community, something hidden in plain sight gnawed at me: as a queer, brown, mixed-Indigenous, non-binary woman, I was often alone. Walking into a taproom, I was reminded that my intersections were vastly underrepresented on both the consumer and producer sides of the industry I loved so deeply. Despite the community’s overall warmth, there was always an underlying discomfort, a loneliness in being ‘the only one’ in spaces that should feel welcoming.

This experience inspired me to launch Beer is for Everyone in 2020—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to amplifying diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice within the craft beer community and beyond. Through this work, I was fortunate to meet Ash Eliot of Brave Noise and Women of the Bevolution. Over time, we became good friends, sharing a vision for love, hope, and real change. Together, we dreamed of starting a firm that would allow us to keep driving this work forward with an even greater purpose. Out of this shared vision, Pouring on Purpose Consulting was born.

The beverage world has long centered on bringing people together. But for those who don’t fit the traditional mold, it can still feel isolating, like standing on the outside looking in. That’s why Pouring on Purpose exists: to change this experience, not only for myself but for anyone who has ever felt overlooked in spaces meant for connection. Our consultancy helps brands create spaces where everyone feels seen, valued, and included.

We specialize in corporate social responsibility (CSR), diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), event curation, and collaborative partnership management—services designed to build brands that prioritize purpose over profit and foster genuine community. Our mission is rooted in true inclusion, where every person feels they have a seat (and a drink) at the table.

Alcohol has always served as a bridge for connection, a way to bring people together to share stories and celebrate. But when certain voices and identities are missing, that connection isn’t complete. We started Pouring on Purpose because we believe that everyone deserves to feel like they belong, that their presence is valued, and their contributions matter. I know firsthand the impact it would have had to feel represented, and I’m committed to helping others find that sense of belonging within the beverage and hospitality industries and beyond. 

Our consultancy goes beyond traditional services by actively creating pathways for historically marginalized people to thrive. We work with brands to build inclusive spaces that don’t just welcome diversity but empower individuals from all backgrounds to succeed and make meaningful contributions. At Pouring on Purpose, we believe that when everyone has the chance to fully participate and succeed, the entire industry becomes stronger, more resilient, and truly connected.

Ultimately, at Pouring on Purpose, we partner with brands that share this vision—who want to pour with purpose, ensuring their impact reaches beyond the glass and touches the communities they serve. By building a more inclusive industry, we’re not only strengthening individual brands but also enriching the entire community, creating spaces where everyone can feel seen, respected, and connected.

Because, in the end, that’s what it’s all about: creating real connection.