March 7th, 2014
05:00 PM ET
![]() Two women's beer organizations, the Pink Boots Society from the United States and Project Venus from the United Kingdom, have teamed up to create a global, all-female brew day on March 8 in order to raise awareness of women in the industry. International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day will allow women from more than 60 breweries around the world to create their own version of the collaborative, girl-powered recipe called Unite Pale Ale. “The beauty of the recipe is that it still leaves room for creativity and uniqueness to the individual brewsters,” says Denise Ratfield, of the Pink Boots Society and San Diego-based Stone Brewing Co. (Industry jargon uses brewster as the feminine form of brewer.) Sophie de Ronde, head brewer of Brentwood Brewing Company in Chelmsford, England, came up with the idea that has since spread stateside with the help of Ratfield and the Pink Boots Society. “Our goal is to continue to empower women, educate them so that the future of craft beer will see a host of talented, capable women that will bring innovation to the industry,” Ratfield says. "We are passionate and feel the need to take charge of our own professional destiny." Aly Hartwig, who is an assistant brewer at Colorado's Pikes Peak Brewing Co., is one such brewster breaking the glass ceiling. While she says she did not encounter many obstacles getting into the industry, she does have to be prepared to hold her own; she points out that brewing is a physically-demanding job. "Despite how the industry may look from the outside, brewing isn't glamorous. It's awful hours, hard physical work and a lot of cleaning,” she says. “If you are not truly passionate about crafting an amazing pint, it'll be challenging to make brewing a lasting career.” Hartwig says that it ultimately relies on passion, whether a brewer or brewster. “Sitting down after a hard day of work and enjoying a pint the you made makes it hard to imagine doing anything else," she says. Another pioneer of sorts is Carol Stoudt of Stoudts Brewing in Adamstown, Pennsylvania. Stoudts, who is often touted as the “Queen of Hops," was responsible for every aspect of the business, from brewing to selling, when it began in 1987. Stoudt advises women who want to get into the industry to “do your homework” and to “learn the science of beer." She says any skeptic can be silenced by knowledge of the craft. “Keep your head up, have confidence and have faith in yourself and your beer,” Stoudt says. Here are five more women who are leaders and pioneers in craft beer. Deborah Carey Julia Herz Mariah Calagione Kim Jordan Teri Fahrendorf Want to find out where you can check out Unite Pale Ale on March 8? Here is a map of participants. Greg Bowman is an Editor Producer with CNN Creative Services in Atlanta and is also a craft beer enthusiast. Follow his beer escapades on Twitter @gboCNN. |
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Stoudts is good beer. I had no idea it was founded by a woman. Nor do I really care. As long as the beer is good I wouldnt care if a monkey brewed it
We have less than 20 tickets left for our International Women's Collaboration Brew Day Brunch at Mike Hess Brewing in North Park. You will get to meet the brewers guest brewing from Stone Saturday March 8th as we participate in this awesome event! You will also be able to indulge in an all you can eat and drink brunch from 10 to noon. Twitter and Facebook hessbrewing for more information. Cheers!
In some countries like USA it might even be good to have a freeman day. Being a good man nowadays is pretty hard with so many parties presenting blame of the male. Ridiculed and exploited in so many ways. Unemployment creates a caste of men who are not allowed even the bare minimum of income through honest work. The rat race is brutal, and men who refuse to play along are criticized. Elsewhere values matter more than bank statement.
Aww poor baby. Did your mommie finally kick you out of the basement? Make you live on your own? Tsk, tsk.
As a woman, I'd love to celebrate, but ale or beer in cold weather just does not do a thing for me. Carry on, though.