Women in Brewing
For International Women's Day this year, we’ve decided to raise a glass to all the great women of the beer industry. For millennia, women have been the driving force behind brewing innovation, from ancient Mesopotamia to today's craft beer revolution. Let's explore this fascinating journey and celebrate the women shaping the future of beer.
The ancient origins of women in brewing
Four thousand years ago in ancient Mesopotamia, brewing was primarily women's work. As legend has it, it all began in a village in modern-day Iraq, where a woman's offering of barley to the gods transformed into something revolutionary through rain and sun — the world's first fermented beer (see here for more fun facts about beer)!
Beer's divine connections ran deep, with multiple goddesses watching over the craft:
- Ninkasi: the Sumerian goddess of brewing
- Siris: Mesopotamia's guardian of beer
- Tenenet: Egypt's protector of brewers
This female-led tradition eventually spread across Europe, where Norwegian law specifically tasked women with beer production. In Germany, we owe one of brewing's most important innovations to a woman — Sister Hildegard, the nun who first introduced hops to beer, forever changing how we preserve and enjoy it.
Do you love a nice hoppy brew? An IPA, perhaps? Find out more about one of the UK's most popular beer styles in our article: What is an IPA?
From household craft to industrial scale
Women were not only producers, but also consumers. Since ancient times, beer has been considered a useful drink during pregnancy. It is no coincidence that among American colonists it was customary, when a woman became pregnant, to produce groaning beer: the "beer of lament", which would be ready for the birth nine months later.
However, the industrialisation of brewing began shifting the gender balance. Several factors contributed to this change:
The rise of monastery brewing
Monks (who were, of course, all male) began brewing professionally and became quite famous.
Post-plague labour shortages driving up wages
Due to the shortage of manpower after the plague, which on average halved the European population, wages went up and beer consumption increased dramatically.
The commercialisation of beer production
Naturally, men followed into the profitable industry.
Hop innovation enabling larger-scale brewing
Sister Hildegard’s hop discovery meant that beer could be stored for longer. This further contributed to the commercialisation of the golden drink and the expansion of breweries. What a hero!
For a long time, brewing was dominated by men. Even today, not only producing but also drinking beer is often considered masculine. But women are finding their way into this noble art form, following in Sister Hildegard's footsteps. That's why we wanted to list some successful breweries below, with women as master brewers, who make some of our favourite beers.
Women leading today's brewing renaissance
Today, women are reclaiming their place in brewing history. Here are some standout breweries where women are crafting exceptional beers:
Brasserie d’Orval (Florenville, Belgium)
Brasserie d'Orval is a Belgian Trappist brewery founded in 1931. In 1992, Anne-Françoise Pypaert joined the brewery and in 2013 became a master brewer. Since Anne-Françoise started, many other women now work in the brewery beside her. They only sell one beer, Orval, a complex and unique beer brewed with Brettanomyces yeast, which makes it almost a style in itself.
Discover more Trappist and Abbey beers or check out our article on yeast fermentation to learn more about the role of yeast in brewing.
St. Austell (Cornwall, UK)
Georgina Young made history at Fuller's before bringing her expertise to St. Austell Brewery, where she continues to innovate in traditional British brewing as its brewing director.
Gebrouwen door Vrouwen (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
Sisters Tessel and Do de Heij's Amsterdam brewery proves that passion projects can become industry leaders. Their Tricky Tripel showcases their talent for balancing tradition with innovation.
Toast Brewing (London, UK)
Chief Operating Officer, Louisa Ziane, leads this sustainable brewery, combining environmental consciousness with exceptional craft beer by using excess bakery bread to replace 25% of the malted barley in all their delicious brews. Not only that, but 100% of their profits go to environmental charities.
Supporting women in beer
Organisations like Women on Tap, Ladies that Beer, and the Pink Boots Society continue to promote women's involvement in brewing. These groups provide:
- Networking opportunities
- Educational resources
- Mentorship programs
- Industry advocacy
The beer industry is experiencing a renaissance, with women returning to their historical role as innovation leaders. From sustainable brewing practices to experimental styles, female brewers are helping shape beer's future while honouring its past.
Let's raise our glasses for the great women in brewing — here's to many more in the coming years. Cheers!