Our Story
Participation Trophy Brewing was built on a simple conviction: if you're going to make beer, you might as well say something with it.
The brewery was founded by Jedd McCormick, who spent a career in the corporate world studying how influence works — and grew tired of watching the loudest voices say the least. He wanted to build something that stood for something. A taproom, not a laboratory. A community, not a brand activation.
The name “Participation Trophy” was reclaimed from a dismissive remark about early activist-labeled homebrews. Jedd saw a different meaning in it: democracy itself is humanity's most significant participation trophy. A set of rights — freedom of speech, the right to dissent, the expectation of privacy — given to every individual simply for being part of this experiment. The brewery became a vessel for defending those rights in the loudest, most delicious way possible.
We're taproom-only and we keep it word-of-mouth. Building our community slowly, organically, through real connections — that's what makes the space what it is. If you're here, someone trusted you enough to tell you about us. That matters.
Core Beliefs
Our beer names aren't accidents. They're positions. We believe that silence in the face of injustice is its own kind of statement — and we've chosen to make a different one. Every release is intentional.
Our taproom welcomes everyone who believes in human dignity and the right to live freely. We have opinions — strong ones — but the bar is for anyone who respects the person next to them.
The opinions are loud but the brewing is serious. We put the same obsession into the recipe as we put into the name. Great beer is how we back up everything else we say.
We're taproom-only. We don't list our address. We built something tight-knit and word-of-mouth on purpose. If you found us, you're part of it — and we're glad you're here.
Stay Connected
New releases, taproom events, and the occasional unfiltered take on Instagram. It's also the best way to know what's currently on tap and when new beers are dropping.
For collaborations, press, or events: ptbrewingcompany@gmail.com
“Brooklyn's most opinionated brewery — and the beer actually backs it up.”
That's us. We said what we said.
Come Find Us
We're in Brooklyn. Taproom-only. And we're waiting for you.