Beer and good vibes flow at 5th annual celebration of Black arts, artists and community

Leo Sawadogo, owner of Montclair Brewery, poured a sample size glass of beer using the spouts on his makeshift trash can keg.

Sawadogo and his wife, Denise Ford Sawadogo, had traveled from their brewery in New Jersey to Pittsburgh to attend their fourth Barrel & Flow festival Saturday.

Along with them came the large trash can, which was packed with ice and three different beers. They drew a steady line of customers ready to sample their brew throughout the afternoon.

“This is our creation,” Sawadogo said. “We take a trash can and try to build something that we can use. We can roll out and roll in.”

Leo Sawadogo, owner of Monclair Brewery in New Jersey, pours Barrel and Flow attendees samples of beer out of his traveling trash can on wheels.
“This is our creation,” he said. “We can roll out and roll in.” ⁦@TribLIVE⁩ pic.twitter.com/1Lvcowhiij

— Megan Trotter (@meganktrotter) August 9, 2025

The Barrel & Flow 5 festival kicked off Saturday, serving hundreds of ticket holders in the Strip District.

The event, a collection of music, visual art and culinary art, is designed to “celebrate Black arts and artists. And to express and share how collective art is greater together,” as described on its website.

The event, started in 2018, was founded by Day Bracey.

This year, there were over 160 vendors with 90% of them being Black-owned businesses, he said.

“We are inspired to do things whenever we see people who look like us doing that. And we don’t have a lot of representation here in the brewing industry,” Bracey said.

Many of the vendors for Barrel & Flow 5 say they come to the festival for community.

“I call it the family reunion. We get to see each other. We don’t see each other often,” Sawadogo said. “Running a business is not easy. You can’t get out and go visit someone because you got stuff to do. So this is the only time where you can walk around and say hello to everybody.”

For Michale Earley, CEO of Diggs Boys Bourbon, it was his first time showcasing his liquor at Barrel & Flow.

“We wanted to be a part of this historic event to shine light on a community of minority brewers and distillers, and we’re expecting to gain some collaborations and be able to promote our businesses in the Pittsburgh area,” Earley said.

In addition to the vendors, the event hosted 16 musical talents and eight live artists.

Na Bonsai Band is one of 16 musical groups to perform at Barrel and Flow Festival 2025. Na Bonsai plays the guitar, electronics and sings while Sweet plays the bass. ⁦@TribLIVE⁩ pic.twitter.com/EN2dtvmhOY

— Megan Trotter (@meganktrotter) August 9, 2025

“This year we really did ramp up the science, tech, engineering, art and math,” Bracey said. “We want to showcase opportunities within the industry.”

For one art showcase, local poet and owner of A Poem’s Purpose, Haley Clancy, wrote 12-line poems on an old-fashioned typewriter for passersby.

Denele Hughson, executive director of Grow Pittsburgh, brought plants of millet, barley, hops and buckwheat, which are used in brewing, that people could enter to win after donating.

“As a Black woman, seeing this event come together really makes me feel both and proud and connected to our community and making sure that we all know that we share a love of food and growing and being celebrating being here together and locally,” she said.

Ticket prices varied depending on the package.

The VIP pass, which cost $300, came with admission to the festival at noon, a catered meal, swag bag and T-shirt. Early access cost $100 and came with entry from 3 to 9 p.m. and a swag bag. General admission cost $90 and came with entry from 3 to 9 p.m. and a taster glass.

India Lucas of Point Breeze said it was her second year attending the festival in support of her cousin, who was manning one of the food trucks.

“It’s just community coming together and showing that we can have a great time in large groups,” Lucas said. “Doesn’t matter what side of the fence you’re on, what you’re in to: It’s just about community and supporting local businesses.”

Early arrivers at Barrel and Flow seek shade from the over 85 degree heat, but the scorching temperatures haven’t stopped the crowds from enjoying a cold beer, local artists and the live music. ⁦@TribLIVE⁩ pic.twitter.com/ECY26HLzUT

— Megan Trotter (@meganktrotter) August 9, 2025