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As you can probably tell by your TV and radio experience, we're approaching peak campaign season as candidates from all positions of the political spectrum make their case for your precious vote. Our little brewery has played host to many local, county, and state candidates over our short 2-year history— all of them sporting various political party labels. We even have a few beer names honoring political offices and several of our ownership group members are current or former local politicians. Our name— Senate Avenue— is not just our street name but also pays homage to political institutions that have shaped our country.

My wife, Michelle, and I are both local politicians (Councilmember/Mayor and Councilmember/Mayor Pro Tem) and our brewery serves as a neutral ground for the not-at-all-perfect-but-absolutely-necessary process known as politics. One of our company's core values is to celebrate Public Service and the courage it takes for one to put their name on a ballot and knock on doors to persuade complete strangers for their vote on Election Day. 

When I first campaigned door-to-door in my small town in 2016, I was extremely nervous but grateful to find the vast majority of folks who answered the door to be kind and open to hearing my ideas. This was in stark contrast to my experience online, especially with platforms like Nextdoor and Facebook. We took our 2 daughters, Jane and Adeline, in-tow when we repeated the effort for Michelle's local campaign in 2021 as we felt it was important for them to experience a real old-fashioned grassroots campaign where people actually spoke to each other in a civil manner and concerns were discussed without the toxicity of an online platform.

Unfortunately, for reasons I won't dive in to right now, it seems as though more people have retreated behind keyboards and into their respective echo chambers in regards to politics, unwilling to entertain an idea or two that might go against what they want to hear. The more this toxic loop happens, the less middle ground there is, which is where most of us reside.

And this is what we try to provide at our brewery; a middle ground. That means allowing Democrats, Republicans, Independents, community groups, office-holders, PACs, and any other political group you can think of a space to share their ideas with others. We feel the more we allow this to happen, the more middle ground can be uncovered and claimed.

Breweries have a long history of serving as unofficial community centers where people can come together and enjoy a pint… and after a couple of pints our walls come down just a little bit and common ground can be found about sports teams (I had a pint with a Dodgers fan this weekend!), music, movies, family drama, and… yes… even politics.

Some of the candidates our brewery will host this season and in the future may rub you the wrong way. Some of those candidates will rub us the wrong way, too. But that is all part of the essential pillars of Free Speech, open thought, exchange of ideas, and ultimately the pursuit of a more perfect Union.

The biggest problems our nation has faced were not resolved behind a keyboard in a Facebook group or in a Twitter rant. Problems are solved when people let their guard down a little bit (maybe with the help of a beer or two), find a little empathy, and resolve to be civil. Senate Avenue Brewing Company will always strive to be a place that will provide the atmosphere to allow those things to happen.

Sincerely,

Andrew Mitcham
CEO & Co-Owner, Senate Avenue Brewing Company

Here is our Politics Policy—

Senate Avenue Brewing Company, Inc.'s hosting of a political candidate or group does not imply an endorsement of said candidate or group with the following exceptions:

Candidates endorsed by CraftPAC

Candidates in Jersey Village city elections at our Ownership Group's discretion.

Senate Avenue Brewing Company, Inc. allows candidates and political groups of all parties to use our space for the civil and peaceful exchange of ideas with the following exceptions:

Individuals or groups whose ideas or policies are detrimental to our ability to conduct business (ie. support policies detrimental to the craft beer industry's growth, anti-brewpub, etc.) 

Individuals or groups identified as a hate "Group" or "Extremist" by the Southern Poverty Law Center or are in any way associated with said individuals or groups.

Individuals or groups whose presence would likely cause safety issues for our staff & facility.

Senate Avenue Brewing Company, Inc. does not allow political events on Wednesday nights (those are our event nights), Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays with some rare exceptions. Please contact us for more information. We reserve the right to refuse events for anticipated high-traffic days or other conflicts.

Senate Avenue Brewing Company does not allow campaign signs outside of the patio or dining space during events as we do not own the property (parking lot, sidewalk easements, etc.).

Senate Avenue Brewing Company reserves the right to refuse displays deemed offensive or provocative. Candidates are allowed to distribute traditional signs with their name and position. "Statement signs" are not allowed.

Senate Avenue Brewing Company vigorously supports the right to assemble and peaceful protest. However, protestors are not allowed inside the brewery or on our landlord's property during political events (again, we don't own the property). Space is available outside the brewery in the adjoining public right-of-way to peacefully gather and protest. Please contact us before arriving so arrangements can be made for you or your group.