An entrepreneur in Australia has found a way of bringing together his passion for exotic beers and his interest in aid and development, and is opening a rather unusual bar in Melbourne. Shebeen will serve beers and wines from all around the world, with the $2 from each drink sale going back to the country of origin. “Buying a Sri Lankan beer supports Sri Lankan development projects, buying a Peruvian beer makes a difference in Peru” as the website puts it.
In a nice bit of closing the circle, projects in developing countries will also support entrepreneurship, including microfinance or vocational training. “We support projects that allow individuals to participate in the economy where they wouldn’t otherwise be able to,” says concept originator Simon Griffiths. The name Shebeen reflects this ambition – the bar is named after the informal drinking establishments that popped up in apartheid South Africa after black drinkers were barred from pubs.
It’s a great example of the kind of social entrepreneurship celebrated in Citizen You, which I read recently. Shebeen is a business, will turn a profit and reward those putting up the capital, but it will be looking for more than a financial return. This is business with a global awareness and a passion for justice. If I’m ever in Melbourne, (admittedly rather unlikely, despite my Australian dual nationality) I’ll be sure to drop by. And if there’s a Three Horses beer from Madagascar on the menu, so much the better.
It’s not ready to fly just yet, which means that on the offchance that you’re a wealthy Australian, you can still get involved.
- Thanks to Leisl for the link.
It’s a good idea; I like the idea of beers and wines from all around the world
In the long-run though, transporting booze around the planet might not be sustainable. There’s a strong argument for acquiring a taste for local beers and wines.
Fortunately UK wines are getting better (yes, really!) and micro-breweries for Real Ale are multiplying; I think there are more now than any other time since the 1940s. ‘Real Ale’ is the stuff that has been brewed using traditional methods and is a natural, living product; it hasn’t been pasteurised to make it sterile. It’s also very tasty (in moderation, of course!).
I agree, and I’m something of a real ale fan myself, although we don’t have any Luton based breweries just yet.
Perhaps a sustainable alternative would be beers and wines inspired by different countries, rather than sourced from them. Not as interesting perhaps, but better in the longer term, especially once shipping costs make imports less viable.
I think this is a great idea- hope it gets really successful and spreads to the UK! But how do you come to have Australian dual nationality?! I thought you’d have Madagasgan if any! You are an international man of mystery………
My mum was born in Australia. My Grandad was a turkey farmer out there, and half my extended family still live there. I’ve never been myself. Part of me would love to go and visit, but I don’t intend to fly again if I can avoid it.
wow,i never knew that! You are truly international! If you aren’t going to fly again,does that mean you won’t go to africa? Are there any alternative ways of getting to places further than europe-i mean organised trips rather than just sort of jumping from train to train?! I haven’t heard of any,but there’s surely space in the market!
I think I probably will go to Africa again, but I’d need a very good reason and I’d go for a good long time and see plenty while I was there. I need to take Lou to Madagascar one day, so maybe I’ll go in 10 years time and make it a family adventure.
And there is a gap in the market for rail travel packages. The only ones I’ve seen are for people who are into trains, and they cost a fortune and usually end up in Austria. The train will get you a pretty long way though. I know a family that flew to Japan and got the train back, which is quite impressive.
Hey Jeremy, thanks for the post! We’ve been amazed by the interest we’ve sparked across the globe. If you do make it to Melbourne, pop in for a beer…hopefully by then we will have figured out the best way to deal with our environmental footprint (yes, we are aware of it!). Cheers, Simon