New Edinburgh beer festival aims to get more women into the brewing industry

A group of female brewing experts are hosting a festival to get more women into the industry.

It comes after a recent survey found women make up only 30% of the beer workforce, and just 1% of brewers.

The Women in Beer festival runs from October 23-27 in Edinburgh and celebrates women working in and leading the brewing industry.

“We have an issue in the beer industry, there’s not enough women,” the festival’s founder Amélie Tassin told STV News.

“There’s a common misconception that beer is a drink for a man. We need to show that women work in the industry, they’re happy, they’re talented and that’s what the festival is all about.”

Amélie has also set up a membership programme to connect women with expertise and advice, but she says far more support and a cultural shift is needed.

“Women like to drink in a group of women and they feel empowered if they drink beer in a group of women. They feel not judged and they can ask questions, so that’s what we try to do with Women In Beer.”

Hayley Ransome, the head brewer at Cold Town House in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket, says the festival has created a real community of female brewers. But she still faces challenges working in such a male-dominated industry.

“People are surprised when they see I’m the brewer here – they’re expecting a guy,” she told STV News. “It’s unique, there’s not many female brewers around.”

“I’ve always loved craft beer. I worked in hospitality – then when Covid hit I decided I wanted to get into a job I was passionate about.”