Mallinson’s and Beerhouses team up to create all all-female brewed celebratory beer
We have long known that, while outnumbered, women are nevertheless making an impact in the beer industry, both in terms of brewing beer and in making sure it’s beautifully served in pubs and bars. We are somewhat bucking that trend as a female-led business with 4 of our 6 venues managed, or co-managed, by women. We feel that this is worth celebrating so, to mark International Women’s Day on 8 March, we mustered our collective girl power and got together with our friends at Mallinson’s and their female brewers to create a special collaboration beer.
All The Women IWD Collab Brew
Amber and Anais from The County and Laura from The Sportsman joined Tara and Elaine from Mallinson’s Brewing just down the road at Lockwood in February to brew up something special. They devised the recipe between them and chose a combination of hops: Motueka (bittering), Nectaron (intense tropical pineapple, passion fruit, and stone fruit characters), and Centennial (dry hopped at the end).
We have named this hoppy pale, with an ABV of 3.9%, All The Women and it will be available at all Beerhouses pubs from Friday 8 March; International Women’s Day.
Amber, who is the manager of The County, said:
“We had a fantastic day at Mallinson’s and learnt so much from their awesome brewers, Tara and Elaine. We especially loved picking out the hops (I can’t deny, some of the Nectaron *may* have made their way back to my fridge).”
Partnering with Women on Tap
However, our female solidarity does not end there. This year, Beerhouses is supporting Women on Tap CIC, a social enterprise whose aim is to ensure that all women feel welcome, are safe, and have equal opportunities in beer. Established in 2017, Women on Tap has delivered 7 festivals, 100+ events, and multiple campaigns and creative commissions to celebrate the role of women in the beer industry. We thought that aligned with our own aims and values pretty well.
Women in the beer industry
Beer is male dominated at face value, however, there are many women brewers and female-owned breweries out there that Beerhouses love to support, such as Neptune and Ashover which appear on the bars on a monthly basis.
Through history, women have always been involved in brewing especially at the beginning with tales of Goddesses being worshipped for beer: Ninkasi was a goddess of beer and drinking in 8000bc for Sumerians. In Celtic lore there is a goddess called Dea Latis. When it came to the origins of brewing it was known as a woman’s task and considered a household art. However, from the 18th century it become male dominated as it was escalated to a commercial endeavour.
Women are now reclaiming some of that beer space, leading to new ideas and collaborations. As well as managing The County, our own Amber is taking a great interest in the brewing process and is loving working with brewers to put her own stamp on their beers that she can bring to the bar.
Raise a glass to All The Women!
By sampling a pint (or two) of this special IWD brew, not only are you supporting two local, independent businesses but you can raise a toast to women in beer, as well as equality in general. If, indeed, you need any excuse to try a drop of something new!
All The Women will be available in The County and The Sportsman (Huddersfield), The West Riding (Dewsbury), The Cricketers Arms (Horbury, Wakefield), and Stalybridge Buffet Bar (Stalybridge) from Friday 8 March while stocks last.