The Scottish beer community group, Women in Beer (WiB), has announced the dates for its highly anticipated third festival in Edinburgh, set to be the largest in the group’s history. Scheduled from October 23-27, 2024, the festival promises an extensive lineup of events, including learning and training sessions, networking opportunities, and tap-takeovers that will highlight beers crafted by women in the industry.
The festival kicks off with a welcome party at Cold Town House in Edinburgh, followed by two days of training and conferences at The Port of Leith Distillery, located in the city’s whisky district. Attendees can look forward to sensory training sessions led by Lallemand Brewing and a half-day seminar featuring panel discussions and talks hosted by women in the brewing sector. Additionally, participants in the WiB Mentorship Programme will have the chance to earn a WSET qualification certification during the event.
WiB founder Amélie Tassin expressed her enthusiasm for the upcoming festival, stating, “I started Women in Beer to celebrate women who enjoy good beer and good company, and to support those working in the brewing industry through community and training opportunities. With only 30% of the brewing industry identifying as women, and a mere 3% being brewers, WiB aims to challenge these statistics by providing a platform for women to connect, learn, and enjoy great beer together.”
The festival will take place across various locations in Edinburgh, with WiB partnering with local pubs and bars to showcase a curated selection of beers owned or brewed by women. A highlight of the event will be the WiB ‘Big Meet-up’ on October 26 at the Stockbridge Tap, where the festival’s collaboration beers, brewed by Cold Town in Edinburgh, Holy Goat Brewing from Dundee, Jump Ship Brewing from Midlothian, and Round Corner Brewing from Melton Mowbray, will be officially launched.
Tassin emphasized the importance of raising awareness beyond the typical beer festival audience, saying, “Teaming up with pubs and bars around Edinburgh allows us to reach people who might not know that women are behind some of their favorite drinks. Brewing collaboration beers is also a way for us to showcase our presence and give our members the opportunity to experience a real brew day.”
The Women in Beer mentorship program, launched last autumn, saw 12 women sign up, marking the beginning of this initiative. In March 2024, the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) joined as the new education partner for the WiB mentorship program, further supporting the initiative and demonstrating the beer sector’s commitment to sharing knowledge and fostering growth.
This year’s festival is set to be a milestone event, celebrating the contributions of women in the brewing industry while offering opportunities for learning, networking, and enjoying some of the best beers crafted by women in Scotland and beyond.
