Brewgaloo faces alternative beer festival in Raleigh over anti-trans comments
North Carolina’s largest beer festival will be missing 16 breweries and as many craft vendors this year as an alternative, pro-LGBT event debuts on the same day — a split stemming from lingering pain over Shop Local Raleigh director’s anti-trans remarks in December.
The new Y’all Means All beer festival will be held at Raleigh Brewing on April 25, celebrating local suds on the same weekend that Shop Local Raleigh holds its two-day Brewgaloo downtown — an event that draws an estimated 50,000 people.
Heavy-hitters in the state’s craft brew scene — Trophy and Fullsteam among them — will appear at Y’all Means All, organizers said.
Y’all Means All grew out of Facebook comments Shop Local Raleigh’s leader Jennifer Martin posted last December in response to a parent’s question about where to find sports opportunities for their transgender son, to which Martin posted anonymously:
“There’s no such thing as a transgender son. Blessing to you, but the sooner you help your son realize this, the more successful he (maybe a she) will be.”
The Facebook group’s administrators recognized Martin, banned her and publicized her comments.
Martin later apologized to Shop Local partners, vendors and patrons in her own Facebook post, which said, “I’ve heard my actions have caused divisions among people and that breaks me. Speaking for me and me only, not my employer, I believe we are all called to love one another just as Christ has loved and forgiven us.”
Shop Local announced that Martin would undergo training in human rights, and the nonprofit would both review its policies and hold meetings in the community to “listen and learn.”
Still, many called for Martin to be fired and several businesses announced they would cut ties with Shop Local. One of those, jewelry maker Be Like Missy, has organized Y’all Means All along with Raleigh Brewing.
“I think it’s really important that we show the LGBT community that they’re welcome and supported by not just me, but by a bunch of people in the community in a time that rights are being stripped away,” said Erica Vogel, the designer for Be Like Missy.
She and others called the apology from Martin a disappointment and Shop Local’s response inadequate.
In January, the LGBT Center of Raleigh released a statement urging local groups and leaders to reject transphobia, “publicly affirm the dignity and humanity of transgender and nonbinary people” and continue education.
“It still feels as though she’s sorry she got caught,” Vogel said. “Just generally, we’re disappointed. ... She denied that trans folks exist, and they’re just trying to minimize it.”
Shop Local did not respond to an email seeking comment and Martin did not respond to a phone message Wednesday.
Refocus on the good things
Raleigh Brewing owner Kristie Nystedt said she had to cap the number of breweries at Y’all Means All due to limited space at the brewery just off Hillsborough Street, but she added many more wanted to participate.
The space for live music, food trucks, vendors and breweries on Neil Street is more limited than the streets of downtown Raleigh, but Y’all Means All “isn’t really to be in competition.”
“It’s really just to reconfirm and re-express and refocus the attention on the good things,” she said, “supporting our neighbors, making sure we celebrate our diversity and making sure everyone feels welcome.”
Fullsteam Brewery owner and “chief executive optimist” said his Durham brewery hasn’t participated in Brewgaloo for a decade and would join Y’all Means All no matter what day it was held.
“We prefer more niche festivals than big blowouts,” he said, “so we just haven’t been involved. It’s not like we’re pivoting. We’re choosing to engage with a festival that aligns with our values and it should come as no surprise.”
Wye Hill Brewing in Raleigh echoed the desire to join an event led by an inspirational woman brewer — Raleigh Brewing’s Nystedt _ more than any desire to make a statement on the controversy.
“Beer brings people together,” said Wye Hill owner Sara Abernethy. “We’re just happy to join in an inclusive event.
A portion of the proceeds from Y’all Means All will benefit the LGBT Center of Raleigh.
This story was originally published March 26, 2026 at 2:26 PM.