New 'Y'all Means All' beer festival challenges Brewgaloo in Raleigh

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Two beer festivals are set to take place at the same time in Raleigh, each promoting "some of the best craft breweries on tap."

The long standing Brewgaloo Festival is considered one of the best in the country, attracting thousands over a two day period. This year's festival is scheduled for April 24 25.

The "Y'all Means All" North Carolina Beer Festival is scheduled for April 25 at Raleigh Brewing Co.

The festival is a joint effort between Raleigh Brewing Co. and Erica Vogel, who said the event grew out of a desire to create an inclusive space.

"At a time when rights are being stripped away from the LGBTQ community at an alarming rate, we wanted to make sure that we had an event that was safe and welcoming for everyone in the community," Vogel said.

Vogel had been a craft vendor at the long running Brewgaloo festival since 2019, selling jewelry through her boutique, Be Like Missy. She decided to withdraw after anti transgender comments circulated online. The comments were attributed to Jenn Martin, who runs Shop Local Raleigh, the organization behind Brewgaloo.

"Our values weren't aligned with the current event, and we decided it was time to make our own," Vogel said.

Martin acknowledged the comments earlier this year and asked for forgiveness. In a post, she wrote that "her heart has always been for people and community." The apology did not satisfy some vendors and breweries.

"That was why a lot of us walked away from Shop Local Raleigh and Brewgaloo," Vogel said.

Organizers of the new festival said they want to create an event where everyone feels invited.

"This is what happens when people are being included," Vogel said.

The "Y'all Means All" festival is expected to feature live music, food trucks, craft vendors, nonprofits and 16 breweries, including Trophy Brewing, Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing and Raleigh Brewing Co.

"It's a way to let loose and celebrate our local craft beer community, which is so strong in North Carolina - something I think sets us apart from a lot of other states," Vogel said.

Eyewitness News reached out to Shop Local Raleigh and Jenn Martin for comment but had not heard back by publication.