Brewing was once dominated by women. In the early days of humanity, it is believed women were the original brewers due to their proximity to the gathering part of “hunter-gatherer” societies. During medieval times property laws changed in Europe preventing women from owning taverns. The trappings of female brewers such as brooms, cats and pointed hats were turned into symbols of witchcraft. In more recent history, convictions about the “evils” of drinking created a female-led temperance movement and, eventually, Prohibition. All of this meant that over time women were, in large part, phased out of the craft of brewing.
Fast forward to today: With the increase in home and craft brewing over the past few years, more women are taking up the mantle of brewer. Several breweries in the state now have female brewers on staff and at least a couple of them, like Thirsty Pagan Brewing Company (Superior), Moosejaw Pizza & Dells Brewing Company (Wisconsin Dells) and Capital Brewery (Madison), even boast female brew masters.
This past May, Madison’s Craft Beer Week’s featured beer, Common Thread, was created entirely by Wisconsin female brewers. “These talented women made an amazing Belgian Tripel-style ale,” says Robyn Klinge, co-founder of the annual event. Although this beer was mostly gone by the end of Craft Beer Week, if you are lucky you may still “find a barrel or two floating around at Madison bars. Don’t pass up the chance to try it if you find someone serving it,” adds Klinge.
For a lot of women, their interest in brewing comes first from a love of consuming new and interesting craft beers. Groups like the Madison-based Females Enjoying Microbrews (FEM) or Milwaukee’s Barley’s Angels encourage women to learn and share knowledge about beer. Joining a male-dominated home-brew class could be intimidating for a lone woman, but sometimes these groups will take over a class or offer classes themselves. Klinge adds, “From my experience, most men in the industry are really supportive of women who want to get into brewing.”
A home brewer herself, Klinge has some words of advice for anyone wanting to get into brewing: “Attend a Beer 101 class, join a group like Barley’s Angels, ask questions at home brewing [equipment] stores, and go to local craft breweries and offer to volunteer, which is a great way to learn all about the industry.” Follow these steps and perhaps someday women will again become the most prevalent brewers.
Interested in more information about Barley’s Angels Milwaukee? Visit barleysangelsmke.com.
