As we’re starting to see the first of the International Women’s Day collaboration brews make their way into the world, we thought it would be a good time to look back on our activities across the month of March.
Our International Women’s Day event proved to be so much more successful and popular than any of us anticipated! To see so many women come down to join in and listen to the experiences of myself and my fellow guests really warmed my heart. We were joined by some amazing guests who spoke candidly about their experiences as women working within the drinks industry:
- Kayleigh Vidler, the general manager of Inn The Park, shared her experience as a young wine professional and told us about some challenges she has faced in her career due to her gender and age.
- Laura Robinson, the assistant brewer at Powder Monkey, had some tales to tell about working within the male-dominated production sector.
- Hannah Horn, artist and illustrator, gave a unique perspective from her illustrating career, and also working alongside breweries to create amazing can artwork.
We also had an exclusive keg of Monkey See, Monkey Do - brewed by Laura! Brewed with fruity New Zealand hops, this refreshing pale ale went down an absolute treat!
The following morning both Maz and I were up early and heading to our respective destinations for IWD collaboration brew days in Berkshire - I was in Reading with Double Barrelled while Maz headed to brew with her beloved Elusive. Read a little more about our days below:
I was lucky enough to be invited to Elusive Brewing in Finchampstead to take part in their collaboration brew with Siren and The Malt Miller. This brew aimed to bring together women from all parts of the beer world, with a particular emphasis on encouraging more women into home brewing - very often seen as a male past time. We brewed the same beer on both the main kit and at home brew scale, and the kit was available to buy on The Malt Miller so people could join in and brew along at home.
Led by Hayley from Siren, Ruth from Elusive, and Jo from The Malt Miller we brewed Multiplayer, a 5.8% ESB, with Mandarina Bavaria, Centennial and Northern Brewer hops for a full-bodied beer that pours dark gold in colour with aromas of orange and caramel and flavours of bitter marmalade, before a clean finish that keeps you coming back for more.
It was a really great opportunity to join in on a brew at one of my favourite breweries alongside women I’ve long admired, and to represent my fellow female publicans and beer fans.
Double Barrelled’s brew day was a busy affair - an open house style event that brought women from all different fields together. Brewers, publicans, front of house staff, and fans of craft beer all came together with the shared goal to create a delicious and drinkable beer while networking with fellow beer professionals and beer lovers alike.
Co-owner Luci and brewer Chelsea did an amazing job at talking us all through the brewing process and thoroughly answering any questions directed their way. By providing raw ingredients to handle, smell and taste, they helped attendees really connect with the ingredients that make up all the beers we love so much. We got to sample a range of DB’s beers (accompanied by a lunch courtesy of Mayan Malaysia), and even got a taste of a double dry-hopped version of Parka, their core beer.
We also enjoyed a quick talk from painter Laura Skelton, whose artwork graces the label for this collaboration. The end result is Ikaru - a 5.7% pale ale with El Dorado, Citra, and Nectaron giving it extra juicy and tropical vibes. Oats have been added to give the beer a luxurious full-bodied mouthfeel and satisfying drinkability.
Both of the brews we were involved in will be available in the pub this week!
We also want to remind you that we are starting up a women’s beery social group, for ladies and gender non-conforming people to socialise regularly and make more beer-loving friends! If you’re interested in getting involved, speak to either Maz or Freya and we’ll put you on the contact list!