The Beer world can sometimes seem like a boy’s club. I didn’t start enjoying beer until a few years ago when I realized that there’s a world of beer beyond lukewarm Bud Light. I feel that beer is often pegged as a “masculine” drink, while fruity cocktails are seen as more “feminine.” I’m happy to report that there are TONS of kickass ladies out there who are changing the face of the craft beer world. Here are just a few.
Lineup Brewery
Brooklyn, NY
Katarina Martinez made headlines a few months back when she released a limited edition brew called “Bieryoncé,” but we think it’s even more newsworthy that Lineup is a female-owned and operated joint in Brooklyn. According to Bon Appetit, Martinez started Lineup as a major career change, following her passion for brewing. She’s made a name for the NYC brewery by naming their beers after pop culture references – other particularly cheeky ones include “I Bet You Think This Beer Is About You” and “In Defense of Ghosting.”
Roosters Brewing Co.
Layton, UT
Roosters’ “Femination Ale” is actually what inspired this round-up of breweries owned by women. The brew was originally created to celebrate International Women’s Day by Jacquie King Wright, who runs Roosters’ Ogden brewhouse and is reportedly one of just three women who brew beer in Utah. Femination is an American Strong Ale with flavors of pumpernickel, cocoa and coffee, according to Slug.
Lady Justice Brewing
Mountain View, CO
Founded by Kate Power, Betsy Lay and Jen Cuesta, Lady Justice seeks to be a positive force in the community and turn out good beer. And they truly are doing both. All profits are donated to organizations that promote opportunities for women and girls, and they make some crazy-good beer with even better names. The “Sandra Day IPA” is “unapologetically mighty, just like her namesake.”
Eagle Rock Brewery
Los Angeles, CA
Founded in 2009 by Jeremy Raub and his wife Ting Su, Eagle Rock is dedicated to using the best ingredients and supporting the LA beer community. The brewery offers a Women’s Beer Forum, a monthly meeting with beer-loving ladies that includes a flight of beer and quality time with other women who want to learn more about beer.
New Belgium Brewing Company
Fort Collins, CO
New Belgium does a lot of things right. In addition to striving for sustainability, the company was founded by Kim Jordan. They’re now one of the largest craft breweries in America, and the company is constantly “pushing the edge of innovation and green technology.”
Accomplice Brewery & Ciderworks
West Palm Beach, FL
Felonice Merriman is the brewery’s co-owner (shared with her husband) and started South Florida’s first commercial cidery. She has a gluten allergy, so the brand focuses on ciders, but they’re planning to expand into a gluten-free brewery that will churn out more than just cider. Merriman does everything at Accomplice from kegging new recipes to running the brewery’s social media pages.
Photo courtesy of Lineup Brewing
