In 2015, in honour of International Women’s Day on March 8th, 
the Pink Boots Society® created an annual event for women in the brewing industry from around the world to get together, collaborate on a brew, and to raise awareness of women’s roles in the brewing industry.
the Pink Boots Society® created an annual event for women in the brewing industry from around the world to get together, collaborate on a brew, and to raise awareness of women’s roles in the brewing industry.The Pink Boots Collaboration Brew brings together women in the industry, from homebrewers to sales reps, tasting room staff, teachers, brand ambassadors, owners and more!
What is the Pink Boots Society®?
The Pink Boots Society is a non-profit international organization that was founded in 2007 by Teri Fahrendorf, a professional brewer in the US for 19 years. The PBS teaches, supports and encourages women in the brewing industry. It also helps advance beer careers for women by raising money for educational scholarships. At this time, BC has one official chapter which is based in Vancouver and led by myself, Lundy Dale.
What is the Pink Boots Brew Collaboration Brew?
“Chapters and members of Pink Boots Society get together along with supporting breweries and individuals, put on their pink boots and brew their chosen beer style” states PBS, using an exclusive Pink Boots Collaboration Brew Day hops blend created in partnership with Yakima Chief Hops (YCH). The 2019 blend consists of five hop varieties: Loral, Glacier, Sabro, Simcoe and Mosaic; some familiar, and some recently released! The combination creates an aroma of floral, tropical and citrus with enough dankness and bitterness for a balanced palate. YCH also donates $3 from every pound sold to Pink Boots Society for education and programming.
2019’s Pink Boots Brews on the BC Ale Trail
This year nine breweries in BC participated in the Pink Boots Collaboration Brew across seven BC Ale Trails!
Fraser Valley Ale Trail – March 8th
This is the first year that Langley’s Kwantlen Polytechnic University Brewing Program students, led by Nancy More and Marino Solena-Bielen, are going on their own. They brewed a Saison with Loki yeast, (a Norwegian farmhouse style yeast) and it will be available on draught and for growler fills.
KOOTENAY ROCKIES WEST ALE TRAIL – March 11th
This was year two for Nelson’s Torchlight Brewing, led by brewer Kerilyn Faulkner, who invited women from the Kootenays region to join in. This year they brewed a Pink Brut IPA with the addition of some fruit.
NORTHERN BC ALE TRAIL – March 15th
This is year two for Quesnel’s all-female Barkerville Brewing, led by head brewer Erin Dale. They have invited women from Valemount’s Three Ranges Brewing and Crossroads Brewing in Prince George as well as industry partners, Gambrinus Malting. Erin has chosen to brew a dry hopped lager to showcase the hops. The beer will be in draught and packaged.
PENTICTON ALE TRAIL – Feb 8th
This is year one for Cannery Brewing and a first for a brewery in BC’s interior to be a part of the PBB. They are unique in their choice to brew in February and launch the beer for International Women’s Day on March 8th. Ellie Farley, a passionate craft beer lover who works at the Cannery tap room took the lead on this one. The group brewing included co-owner Patt Dyck and they brewed the Ceres Hazy ISA which is available in draught and cans.
VANCOUVER ALE TRAIL – March 3rd and March 9th
Two Vancouver breweries participated this year. Dogwood Brewing celebrated their 5th annual Pinks Boots Brew day led by Head Brewer Claire Wilson. In partnership with Mile 37 Canning and Summit Labels, they brewed an American style Pale Ale which will be available in 4-packs of tall cans and draught.
Callister Brewing participated for its second year. The 14 woman brew team led by Co-Owner Diana McKenzie brewed a Hazy IPA on Callister’s small scale system. Head to the brewery on March 21st for the official launch.
VICTORIA ALE TRAIL – March 8th
Lieve Peeters, lead brewer for Spinnakers Brewpub gathered a team of women from Category 12 Brewing, Lighthouse Brewing, Twa Dogs Brewery, Driftwood Brewery and Riot Brewing to brew a Pink Brut IPA.
WHISTLER ALE TRAIL – March 8th
Brewer Tanya Crocker from Coast Mountain Brewing in Whistler was joined by Brenda Miller, co-owner of Pemberton’s The Beer Farmers, along with other women from the area, brewed an ISA. This light, hop-forward yet sessionable ale will be available in draught and cans!
The next day the roles were reversed with Brenda leading a team brew at The Beer Farmers with Tanya helping out. They hosted an open house where women from the area could attend and learn from the masters! They brewed a Pink Hibiscus IPL to have on draught and possibly some packaged. TBC.
So while you are checking out all that the BC Ale Trail has to offer, keep in mind that during the first few weeks of April, you will have the added bonus of trying one of a kind, limited release brews created by women and benefit women in the brewing industry around the world, especially in our own backyard.
Cheers to Pink Boots Brews! Cheers to Women that brew!
