International Women's Day: Women in the Beer Industry | The British Guild of Beer Writers

International Women’s Day is a momentous occasion to celebrate the achievements of women around the world. At Beers of Europe, we are proud to recognise and support the vital role that women play in the beer industry and beyond.

In the past, the beer industry has been perceived as a male-dominated field. However, over the years, women have made significant contributions to the industry, from brewing to marketing and beyond. As a result, we are seeing more and more women entering the beer industry, and the industry is becoming more diverse as a result.

One way that we celebrate women in the beer industry is by highlighting the many excellent beers made by female brewers. From sour ales to stouts, women have shown time and time again that they are skilled and innovative brewers. We are proud to carry many excellent beers made by women, and we encourage our customers to try them out.

An example of this would be St Austell Brewery. An inspiration for International Women’s Day because of its commitment to promoting gender equality and creating opportunities for women with its great apprenticeship scheme. The brewery has a diverse workforce, with women occupying key roles in brewing, such as their Director George Young who aspires to help other women to get into the brewing industry. St Austell Brewery also actively supports women’s initiatives and charities, such as sponsoring the Cornwall Women in Business Awards and partnering with Breast Cancer Now.

At Beers of Europe, we celebrate the diversity of women in the beer industry by highlighting the contributions of female brewers, beer enthusiasts, and business leaders. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. We decided to ask the women behind Beers of Europe some questions in the spirit of International Women’s Day.

What’s your name and your role here at Beers of Europe?

Hi, my name is Tash and I am a warehouse operative and shop assistant.

What’s your favourite thing about your job?

I enjoy packing the shelves and putting effort into my work. I like manual labour so this is the perfect job really, boxing, picking out bottles, organising the shelves all of the things I get to do daily.

Do you have a favourite drink?

Ooo it would have to be a cider. My favourite would probably be Brothers Toffee Apple Cider.

Who inspires you?

My mum, from when I was a kid she has always been hard working. She is truly an inspiration to me. When she was hard at work, it made you want to get up and start working to keep up with her!

If you could go back in time and give your past self one piece of advice what would it be?

Win a lottery ticket! But in all seriousness to try harder at school, you don’t realise how lucky you are until you look back and realise you’ve missed an opportunity.

^Polly & Tash

What’s your name and your role here at Beers of Europe?

I go by Polly and I am a replenishment assistant and order picker.

What’s your favourite thing about your job?

Having the opportunity to work alongside my family, I work with both my daughter and sister so we have some right laughs.

Do you have a favourite drink?

Just plain coke, with a bit of ice, maybe a lemon slice, and a little straw, or if I had to pick something alcoholic Jammy Red Roo to not overcomplicate it haha!

Who inspires you?

Definitely, my mum, she’s sooooo cool and I love her to bits.

If you could go back in time and give your past self one piece of advice what would it be?

To not care what others think so much, just live life, you end up wasting too much time worrying and not enough living. And definitely don’t let anything hold you down.

^Carol

What’s your name and your role here at Beers of Europe?

Carol Clark and I am the company director.

What’s your favourite thing about your job?

The people I get to meet. Whether it’s meeting a new brewery and hearing about all their plans or serving a customer and having a friendly chat. I always enjoy listening to what they have to say.

Do you have a favourite drink?

I’m actually not drinking at the moment. Which is difficult considering all I see is beer every day!

Who inspires you?

I would have to say Emily Panckhurst. She never gave up on her cause and was so strong and determined to do what was right. Her dedication and the impact she caused are incredibly inspiring.

If you could go back in time and give your past self one piece of advice what would it be?

I would tell myself to put more effort into my studies and don’t think school is such a bad thing.

^Kate

What’s your name and your role here at Beers of Europe?

I’m Kate. I’m the social media manager for Beers of Europe, The Warehouse Taproom, Bar and Restaurant and The Steiff Shop.

What’s your favourite thing about your job?

The flexibility – working for my family has its advantages! I’m able to work from home where needed and I can fit my hours in around my children. It also means if there are times I need to bring them in to work with me.

Do you have a favourite drink?

I’m not a massive beer drinker. I know, I know – working for the biggest beer shop in the UK, I should be by now! Give me an orange gin or a spiced rum served with ginger ale and I’m happy.

Who inspires you?

I genuinely can’t pick one, there are too many to choose from. But seeing as I have to give an answer, Beatrix Potter. She was famous for her writing and illustrations, bred sheep and also worked hard to preserve the land around her home in the Lake District. I love that she managed to combine the things she was passionate about into a life and successful career. And much of the land she preserved now makes up the Lake District National Park which is fantastic.

If you could go back in time and give your past self one piece of advice what would it be?

Hmmm… where to start? There’s so much I’d tell myself but I think the main one, as boring as it is, would have been to start a pension earlier!

^Grace

What’s your name and your role here at Beers of Europe?

Hi my name is Grace and I am currently an apprentice Digital Marketer for Beers of Europe and The Warehouse Taproom, Bar and Restaurant.

What’s your favourite thing about your job?

Before I came here I knew nothing about beer, I didn’t even like it. But since learning about all the different types, and flavours, hearing from different breweries has become one of my favourite things about my job.

Do you have a favourite drink?

I don’t think I could pick just one! Since working here I would say the Todka banoffee vodka if not any from the Lilleys Cider range, especially the Pina Colada Cider.

Who inspires you?

My sister, she has always been so strong and independent. She’s such a laugh to be around even if her dance moves aren’t the best!

If you could go back in time and give your past self one piece of advice what would it be?

Not to worry about school so much, it is a lot less stressful than I thought it was and instead to spend the time with my friends.

^Amanda

What’s your name and your role here at Beers of Europe?

I’m Amanda Waterfield. I’m the Marketing Manager for Beers of Europe, The Warehouse Taproom, Bar and Restaurant, The Steiff Shop and The Warehouse Antiques.

What’s your favourite thing about your job?

I love all aspects of my job, such as sampling new beers, going to beer festivals, helping promote the small breweries. I’m really passionate about my job and don’t think I could choose just one thing!

Do you have a favourite drink?

Again there’s no way I could pick just one. My top 5 would be Samual Smiths Organic lager, Herforder Pils, Fruh Kolsh, Dynamite Valley Black Charge and Quilmes.

Who inspires you?

Amelia Earhart, she was a pioneer for women in aviation and ever since I could remember I’ve been interested in aviation. I’d love to be just like her since she was so fearless and despite all those against her she stayed determined.

If you could go back in time and give your past self one piece of advice what would it be?

To take more photos when I was younger. I have so many great memories with my friends and wish I could put them all into one big scrapbook and look back over them.

ENDS

NEWS RELEASE: ISSUED ON BEHALF OF BEERS OF EUROPE

CONTACT : Amanda Waterfield, Marketing Manager on 01553 812000

Notes to Editors:

Beers of Europe is a family run business located in Setchey, Nr Kings Lynn, Norfolk. It is

Britain’s Biggest beer shop with some 2000 different craft beers, real ales and lagers from over

60 countries. We also stock over 2000 different malt whiskies,rums, gins, vodkas

liqueurs,cocktail and coffee syrups and a huge range of branded beer glasses. Open every day

including bank holidays.

Online:

www.beersofeurope.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/BeersofEurope/