International Women's Collaboration Brew Day (IWCBD) is an annual event that takes place each year on International Women's Day (8 March).[1] The event gathers women brewers around the world who brew a beer around that year's theme.[2] It was established to raise awareness of women in the brewing industry, especially as beer brewmasters. It also networks women interested in brewing.[3]
From 2025, the event is organised by Women On Tap CIC, marking its return after a year hiatus with the theme UNITE SOCIETY. Brewers are encouraged to use the event to raise funds for, or donate to, women's causes. Commercial breweries are encouraged to commit to a minimum £100 donation to a non-profit women's organisation or group.[4] The Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) is the campaign’s headline partner, with Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) on board as an Education Partner, and additional sponsorship pledged from Simpsons Malt.[5]
History
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The idea for the IWCBD came from Project Venus member, Sophie de Ronde, who reached out to the Pink Boots Society in 2013 to start a "unified brew day."[6] De Ronde wanted the day "to encourage women to brew together."[7] The day was meant to coincide with International Women's Day and would "raise awareness of women in the brewing industry and raise money for local charities and Pink Boots Society."[6] Brewing beer is a male-dominated industry and is "struggling with sexism and gender bias."[8] Another participant said, "I'd like to normalize the idea that women can and do work in the brewhouse along with other departments in a brewery."[9]
The first year, 2014, over 60 women in five countries brewed a pale ale called Unite.[10] In 2015, 80 women from eleven countries worked together to brew Unite red ale.[6][9] In South Africa, Apiwe Nxusani-Mawela, helped organize the first IWCBD event in Johannesburg.[11] For 2016, the type of beer brewed was a gose.[12] By 2018, the number of participating female brewers had increased to 126.[13]
See also
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References
edit- ^ Bennett, Sarah (7 March 2014). "L.A.'s Female Brewers to Celebrate International Women's Collaboration Brew Day". LA Weekly. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
- ^ "Global Women's Day brewing event to return in 2025 – The Brewers Journal". Retrieved 12 December 2024.
- ^ Corne, Lucy. "South African ladies celebrate International Women's Collaboration Brew Day". Brewmistress. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
- ^ Darren (6 December 2024). "Global women's brewing event will return in 2025 - Beer Today". beertoday.co.uk. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
- ^ Walker, Neil (6 December 2024). "SIBA PARTNER WITH GLOBAL WOMEN'S DAY BREWING EVENT SET TO RETURN IN 2025". SIBA - Society of Independent Brewers and Associates. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
- ^ a b c "Second Annual International Women's Collaboration Brew Day Attracts Global Participation". Brewbound. 24 February 2015. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
- ^ Gildea, Samantha (19 February 2016). "Brew with Riverhead Brewery Tap to celebrate International Women's Day 2016". The Huddersfield Daily Examiner. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
- ^ Leblanc, Robin (22 January 2016). "Inherent Weisse: Fighting Sexism in the Craft Beer World". Torontoist. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
- ^ a b Batz Jr., Bob (1 April 2015). "Beer: Sisters Are Brewin' It for Themselves". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
- ^ Bennett, Sarah (19 March 2014). "L.A.'s Lady Brewers Releasing Beer Made on International Women's Collaboration Brew Day". LA Weekly. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
- ^ Cotterell, Gareth (15 July 2016). "South African Women Making it Big in the World of Brewing". CNBC Africa. Archived from the original on 20 November 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
- ^ Cranisky, Drew (28 March 2016). "Breakfast at Shelley's Opens, Plus the Pink". Next Pittsburgh. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
- ^ McCoy, Frankie (7 March 2018). "The female brewers you need to know about on International Women's Day". standard.co.uk. Evening Standard. Retrieved 12 April 2022.