Beer was never just a man’s drink – and it certainly isn’t now, thanks to the women and non-binary hops-lovers leading the line at southwest breweries
Snap-fizz of a ring pull. Froth of a pint poured. Beep the card, juggle glasses, clink to good times. The first sip of a cold beer is the apex of anticipation. But few stop to truly consider this beverage of ancient origins – the history of the world’s third most popular drink. And in the last few centuries, it’s probably not quite what you’d expect.
“For centuries, brewing was part of women’s domestic labour,” explains Dr Amy Burnett, a policy advisor at Historic England who researches 16th- and 17th-century alehouses. “When they had surplus ale, they’d sell it from their homes. Eventually, hops were introduced, allowing for larger-scale brewing. This led to men commercialising brewing, selling it to women, who’d then sell it in their alehouses.
“While men did essentially masculinise women’s innovation, women didn’t allow themselves to be streamrollered. They went from brewing and selling ale, to buying and managing increasingly complex alehouse businesses. They were pragmatic in the face of aggressive patriarchy, and that’s something to be celebrated!”
University of Bristol lecturer Dr Pam Lock, co-director of the Drinking Studies research group and Women and Alcohol project, widens the lens: “Though industrialisation significantly changed the extent of women’s role in the production of beer and ale, recipes in 19th-century cookbooks show they never stopped brewing or drinking. Stouts and porters – sometimes spiced, often prescribed in pregnancy – were their tipple of choice.”
So there we have it: women may have been sidelined, but they never stopped brewing, or indeed enjoying, beer. And today, across the southwest, women and non-binary people are reclaiming the space they helped build, and we’re here to celebrate them.
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Alice Vaughan - Left Handed Giant, Bristol
Alice Vaughan is the creative force and manager behind Left Handed Giant’s semi-al fresco St Philips taproom – a space that feels more carnival than pub, with vegan food festivals, robot wars and, most importantly, beer flowing metres from where it was brewed.
“I love the fact that beer was originally brewed predominantly by women,” Alice says. “I also love proving that I can do everything the guys do, from stacking kegs to running a busy taproom with confidence.The best moments are when a customer assumes my colleague is the manager and he points at me, the little Welsh woman behind the bar, and says, ‘Actually, she’s my boss.’”
“There’s still a way to go in terms of equality, but I’m lucky to be surrounded by powerful women, and I feel supported and valued at Left Handed Giant. The industry is slowly making progress, and I’m glad to be part of that shift.”
Rosie du Toit & Kari Halford - Bristol Beer Factory, Bristol
At Bristol Beer Factory, every pint does double duty: refreshing the drinker, funding charity. Community manager Kari Halford’s Brewed to Give scheme donates 2% of all sales as cost-price beer, allowing groups to resell it at three to four times the value. Since launch, it has raised over £585,000 for local causes. It was this spirit that drew brewer Rosie du Toit into their brewhouse.
“I joined Bristol Beer Factory this summer, drawn by the brewery’s community spirit,” Rosie says. “In any industry, it’s important to have a mix of perspectives, different genders, backgrounds and cultures. On a more practical note, research shows that women tend to have a stronger sense of smell. Since brewing is so flavour-led, that’s a real advantage.”
Deb Hayles - Twisted Oak, Wrington
Working at a small-batch brewery, roles can switch in an instant. For Deb Hayles, co-founder of North Somerset micro-brewery Twisted Oak, the variety is all part of the fun.
“Women in the brewing sector are notoriously underrepresented, especially in management roles,” she tells us. “But there’s reason to be optimistic: women are being encouraged to join in with initiatives such as International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day events.
“We use traditional techniques to create both modern craft and traditional brews, with a focus on sustainability. My role incorporates all aspects of the brewing process, from making sure we use the finest malt and hops to hand bottling a range of our small-batch beers. I enjoy the challenges that being a small brewery owner brings.”
Libby Baggett - Electric Bear Brewing Co, Bath
After seven years at Bath’s Electric Bear, Libby Baggett has worked her way up from the taproom to running operations and the brand side of the brewery alongside head brewer, Ian Morris.
Electric Bear, which recently celebrated ten years in the game, has built a reputation for playful, progressive beers and regular collaborations – including one with Pelin Morgan of Little Martha. Every March, they release a special International Women’s Day beer; this year’s was pointedly titled That’s What She Said.
Kelly Sidgwick - Good Chemistry, Bristol
If beer has patron saints, Kelly Sidgwick deserves a stained-glass window. At Good Chemistry, she and her partner Bob – who also run Kings Head on Victoria Street and The Good Measure in Redland – brew more than just beer. They also craft connections: science, art, music, food, friendship.
“Things like International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day are great, but we like to say ‘women in beer is for all year, not just IWD,’” she says. “Running a longstanding initiative like She Drinks Beer, which happens monthly, is a way to showcase women-led breweries and disrupt the traditionally male pub space – but we also like to bring women into the brewery to disrupt that male-dominated space, too!”
Good Chemistry also hosts Think While You Drink, letting researchers like Dr Amy Burnett share their findings. Kelly and Bob recently announced that Good Chemistry is up for sale. While we’re very sad about this, we’re also excited to see what’s next.
Emily Penney - Alpha Bottle Shop & Lupe, Bristol
Emily Penney, co-founder of Alpha Bottle Shop and Lupe, keeps the cellars stocked and the accounts balanced – but also makes space for play.
“The scene has progressed massively from when I first started working in it 12 years ago. I’m fortunate to have female friends working in all aspects of the industry, from brewing to pouring in the bars, and they’re all incredibly talented. We’re still outnumbered but it feels more positive than ever before.”
“Alpha is a cosy space in which we host weird and wonderful events, from crisps and lager pairings to our annual stout and doughnut night, and it has gathered a really special community of regulars over the last four years. LUPE is a year old now and has allowed us to step up our draught offering.”
Pelin Morgan - Little Martha Brewing, Bristol
In her own words, Pelin Morgan got involved in brewing because she “just loves a beer”. With brews that sound like they belong on a spaceship, Pelin steers the beers and branding with cosmic flair while keeping the brewpub humming back on Earth.
“We started brewing at home during Covid,” she explains. “I really enjoyed producing something that was just perfect for my taste. I used to dream about having a place where people can just relax and enjoy their drink. These ambitions combined when we found our railway arch.
“Attention in the brewing sector is often very focused on the brewers, who happen to be mostly male, and it is a male-dominated industry. But I don’t feel pressure from anyone for women to stay behind the scenes. Everyone has been very welcoming!”
Charlotte Taylor - The Fresh Standard Brew Co, Nailsworth
The Fresh Standard brewed quietly for two years until Charlotte Taylor joined her husband Rich in 2022 and turned up the volume. Her energy has helped put this Nailsworth brewery on the map, enabling it to recently expand its taproom.
“Rich makes fantastic beer but is rather introverted, which is where I come in,” Charlotte says. “I love talking to people, whether at the taproom, pubs or market. I’m also the dray, which gets me out and about seeing people face to face.”
“Our focus is on our taproom, with pub sales growing and coming direct to us without any pushing, all thanks to our wonderful community sharing us with their favourite pubs. We’re expanding our taproom and getting the unit next door in October – and we’ve got a log burner so we can keep the good times rolling in all weather!”
