International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day

International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day is observed on March 8. This global event coincides with International Women’s Day and serves as a unified effort to highlight the presence and contributions of women in the brewing industry. On this day, women brewers, from professionals at commercial breweries to dedicated homebrewers, gather to create a specific beer, often based on a shared annual theme. The day is designed to foster networking, skill-sharing, and community building, while also raising funds for various women’s charities and non-profit organizations.

History of International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day

The initiative was founded in 2014 by Sophie de Ronde, a professional brewer based in the United Kingdom. De Ronde was inspired by her work with Project Venus, a group of female brewers, and wanted to expand the concept of a “unified brew day” to a global scale. She collaborated with the Pink Boots Society, an international non-profit supporting women in the fermented beverage industry, to launch the first official event. The primary goal was to raise the profile of “brewsters”—the historical term for female brewers—and to encourage more women to enter the male-dominated trade.

Since its inception, the event has grown significantly, with hundreds of breweries across dozens of countries participating annually. Each year features a different theme, such as “Unite Pale,” “Unite Tribute,” or “Unite Society,” which guides the style or ingredients used in the collaborative brews. In 2025, the coordination of the event was taken over by Women On Tap CIC, a social enterprise focused on gender equality in the beer industry. Their leadership has revitalized the campaign, introducing new bursary schemes and structured fundraising goals to ensure the day remains a powerful vehicle for industry reform and charitable impact. ¹

Why is International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day important?

The day is a critical response to the gender imbalance that persists in the modern brewing world. While women were historically the primary brewers in many cultures for thousands of years, the industrialization of beer led to a professional landscape where women currently make up a minority of the workforce, particularly in technical and leadership roles. By dedicating a specific day to collaboration, the event provides a visible platform for female talent and challenges stereotypes about who belongs in the brewhouse. It creates a supportive environment where women can learn from one another without the pressure of traditional industry hierarchies.

Beyond representation, the day has a significant philanthropic reach. Participating breweries often donate a portion of the proceeds from their collaboration beers to local or international women’s causes, ranging from health services to professional development grants. The event also serves as a massive networking opportunity, connecting women across different regions and career stages. For many participants, the camaraderie and mentorship found during a brew day have been the catalyst for starting their own breweries or advancing their professional certifications, proving that collective action can drive tangible career progression.

• It helps reclaim the historical role of women as the original brewers of society.
• The day provides hands-on educational opportunities for aspiring female professionals.
• Collaboration brews raise thousands of dollars for essential women’s charities.
• It creates a global map of female-friendly and inclusive brewery spaces.
• Networking sessions during the brew day lead to long-term professional mentorships.

How to Celebrate International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day

The most direct way to observe this day is to join a local collaboration brew at a nearby brewery. Many establishments host open brew days where women and non-binary individuals are invited to assist in the “mash-in” process, learn about hop varieties, and monitor the boiling wort. No previous experience is required, as the focus is on participation and learning. If you are a homebrewer, you can host your own small-scale brew day with friends, using the annual theme to inspire your recipe and sharing your progress through digital communities.

For those who do not brew, you can celebrate by supporting the breweries that participate in the initiative. Visit a local taproom to try the collaboration beer once it is released, typically a few weeks after the brew day. You can also advocate for the day by encouraging your favorite local brewery to sign up for future events or by donating directly to organizations like the Pink Boots Society. Simply ordering a pint made by a female brewer and sharing the story of the event helps to spread the message of inclusion and supports the financial sustainability of women in the craft.

• Search the official event map to find a participating brewery in your area.
• Volunteer to help with the physical labor of a brew day, like spent grain removal.
• Attend a tutored beer tasting or educational panel led by female experts.
• Purchase merchandise or beer from participating locations to support their chosen charities.
• Use social media to highlight and tag your favorite female-owned or female-led breweries.

International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day Dates Table

1. https://unitebrew.org/[↩]