Kitchener brewery releases special brew in honour of World Down Syndrome Day
A Kitchener brewery is raising a glass to World Down Syndrome Day by launching a special new brew.
The new beer from Together We're Bitter, or TWB Brewing, is called AJ & Zeus Lemongrass Pale Ale.
It was named after and created i partnership with AJ Tamming, a TWB employee with Down syndrome.
Cans of AJ & Zeus Lemongrass Pale Ale are branded with a photo of AJ and his dog Zeus, a black Labrador poodle mix.
"It feels really good to make the most popular beer around here because I want to be a celebrity someday," laughed Tamming.
A portion of the beer's sales will go to the Waterloo Wellington Down Syndrome Society.
A 'high energy' employee
Tamming has been working at TWB for over five years. He spends his days organizing and stocking cans, wiping tables, and canning beer.
"TWB is a great job for me. It's the best community," he said.
When Tamming isn't working behind the scenes, he's in the brewery's tap room pouring and serving beer.
"He's positive, high energy and great to have around. A lot of our customers, when they come in, love seeing him around here," said Dan Murray, one of the owners of TWB Brewing.
Murray added that Tamming is a passionate and hard-working employee.
"Having AJ here is great. He contributes to whatever you need him to do," he said.
For Murray, It's important to raise awareness about Down syndrome and says the brewery aims to create an inclusive work environment.
"We want to make sure that everyone has the same opportunities," he added.
Barriers to employment
People with Down syndrome often face many barriers when trying to find work. One local advocate said they are also more likely to be laid off from a job.
"They may be the first to get laid off in a situation where there's an economic decline, and employers may be apprehensive about taking them on," said Janine Oosterveld, a Waterloo Wellington Down Syndrome Society board member.
Oosterveld added that there are many opportunities for employers to accommodate a person with Down syndrome in the workplace.
"There are lots of supports in the community to help people with Down syndrome be contributing members to an employment team," she said.
"I encourage employers to take a look at this model and see if it's something they would be open to," she continued.
A 'leader' in the community
Tamming is a volunteer and former board member at the Waterloo-Wellington Down Syndrome Society. He is actively involved in many of the organization's programs and social events and served on the organization's leadership team last year.
"AJ is a good leader in our community to demonstrate how you can work in the community and be an active community member," Oosterveld said.
Oosterveld added that the new beer is a great way to toast what Tamming means to his co-workers.
"It tells the story about how a person with Down syndrome could really be employable," she said.
Tamming says he's not letting the success of his beer go to his head, and plans to continue working at TWB.
"It's my home and my family," he said.
AJ & Zeus Lemongrass Pale Ale is available at the brewery by the glass or in cans to take home.
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