DESIGNER, DRUMMER BRINGS FRESH FLAVORS TO SECOND CHANCE
Kemet Ackee, 34, is a San Diego County native, Monte Vista High, class of 2007 graduate, Army veteran, founder of the All My Friends Are Rappers apparel company, drummer and brewer. He’s also African American, which makes him a rare quantity in one of his chosen fields.
“You don’t see too many Black and Brown people in the industry,” Ackee said.
Working with San Diego’s Second Chance Beer, he’s determined to bring a wider audience into craft beer. As part of that effort, he devised All I Want, a hoppy Kolsch brewed for Black History Month.
“I wanted a light beer with hoppy characteristics, something that can intrigue the craft beer drinkers and also something the average beer drinker will like,” Ackee said. “I think we nailed it.”
All All I Want debuted last year as a collaboration between Second Chance and Chula Vista Brewery, the latter a minority-owned business. This year, it’s strictly a Second Chance production.
Ackee’s nine years in the Army, 2011-2020, included two deployments to Afghanistan and a stint in Syria. But his first duty station may have had the biggest impact on his future. “In Germany, I became more aware of the beer industry,” he said. “Then coming back home on leave, my friends were interested in craft beer and they would tell me about the local breweries.” When he was honorably discharged, Ackee came home to found his apparel company and work for Second Chance. While he hopes All I Want will attract craft beer newbies, he’s eager to explore further.
“I want to continue to do other styles,” he said, “continue to grow — and introduce more people to craft beer.”