The Glasladies Beer Society has collaborated with Hidden Lane Organic Brewery to produce a beer in celebration of International Women’s Day.
The scene on brew day at Hiddle Lane Organic Brewery
Members of the beer appreciation group, for women and non-binary people, gathered at the brewery, in Finnieston, to brew a citrus weissbier with director Rachel Suttle, under the direction of Head brewer Pete Hannington.
The collaboration was part of the Unite International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day (IWCBD), an annual worldwide event that takes place on 8th March, in conjunction with International Women’s Day. Now in its tenth year, the IWCBD project is a fabulous opportunity for brewsters and home brewsters of the world to unite, learn, network, and make friends.
Although it’s the first time the Glasladies and Hidden Lane Brewery have participated in this project, the two have worked together on a collaboration series that saw the Glasladies team up with seven local breweries ahead of their inaugural festival last May.
“It’s been fantastic to work on our second collab project with the Glasladies Beer Society,” said Rachel. “It seemed fitting, again, to brew around International Women’s Day, but this time in association with IWCBD. It gives even more emphasis on the goal to spread the word that beer is inclusive!
“The whole project was a collaborative effort that involved group members at every step of the way, from picking the style and ingredients, to the naming of the beer and making sure it gets to pubs and bottle shops so that everyone can enjoy it.”
This was the first time brewing for group members Laura SB and Jacqueline H. Laura said: “The group is an
opportunity for me to do something for myself, outside of work and caring responsibilities. The range of social events organised is extremely appealing, as well as the chance to talk about what unites us all — beer!
“I had a brilliant time at the IWCBD brew day with Hidden Lane Brewery. Can’t think of a better way to spend a day than getting hands-on brewing experience with a group of friendly, supportive, beer-loving folk.”
Jacqueline added: “What an amazing experience. Women brewing beer together in a female-led brewery. Head brewer Pete was so welcoming, and wonderful with sharing his expertise with us all. Can’t wait to try the finished product.”
The brew, named Fight For Our Weisse, is scheduled for release next month, with an official launch party at Koelschip Yard, Glasgow, on 20th April. The beer will be available on tap and the event is open to all.
Rachel added: “The Glasladies have been instrumental in helping small breweries like ours get a hook into the local markets. We are very excited to have the launch at a prominent southside beer venue, and hope that folk will come along to sample the collab and take the opportunity to learn more about the group and their goals.”
The brew day was just one of many events that the Glasladies had lined up to celebrate International Women’s Day. Group members were invited to Fyne Ales where the marketing lead, Aidy Fenwick, who is also part of the society,
talked them through a tasting and showed them around the brewery and the farm.
In addition, this month’s meet-up was held at the Inn Deep Pub, in Glasgow’s West End. Prior to the meet-up, the group had worked with the bar management to specifically source beers from women-owned/led breweries to feature on tap for the occasion. The line-up included beers from Queer Brewing, Siren Craft Beer, Wild Card Brewery, Duration Brewing, Fierce Beer, and Fyne Ales.
Nix Prabhu, the group’s founder, hopes that events like the brew day and brewery visit get more women and non-binary people excited about beer and brewing. She founded the group in 2019 with an aim to provide a safe and inclusive space in an otherwise male-dominated industry.
She said: “We’ve come a long way, but still have many miles to go in order to achieve something even remotely resembling equity in this industry. Women and non-binary people are a huge consumer market that are still consistently overlooked. A simple example is to count how few breweries advertise Mother’s Day specials this month.
Then compare and contrast to how many fall over themselves putting out Father’s Day adverts.
“We have over 200 members in our group alone, and groups like ours exist all across the UK. Smart breweries should be including us in their marketing outreach.
“That being said, the last thing we need is something insulting like breweries turning their labels pink in a misguided attempt to pander to women drinkers. Just consider that women drink beer alongside men. It’s that simple.”
The society is always open to new members and welcomes women and non-binary people. Find out more in its Facebook group.
