Despite the idyllic notion that craft beer is an incredible industry founded on collaboration and camaraderie, the reckoning ignited by Brienne Allan’s work showcased that sexism is a rampant issue in beer that has often been swept under a rug for far too long.
Brienne’s work helped to shine greater awareness on the systemic issue and as a result, incremental change has begun, as seen with her Brave Noise collaboration campaign. Additionally, we’re constantly inspired by a new class of trailblazers like Ash Eliot, founder of Women of the Bevolution, who’ve stepped up to help continue to further Brienne’s cause, and our own Kindsey Bernhard, who launched the Boys are from Märzen podcast to spotlight incredible women in the industry, and Grace Weitz, editor for Hop Culture and organizer of Beers Without Beards festival, which celebrates women and non-binary led breweries. However, in the grand scope of things, there’s still so much that needs to be done to bring greater equity to a historically male-dominated industry.
It’s not enough to post that a brewery supports diversity and will work to combat racism, sexism, homophobia; there has to be actual action. Performative allyship does nothing.
Below is a list of women-owned breweries throughout the country. Keep in mind that many of these are co-owned by men as well, but having a woman making decisions at the top ideally trickles down. This list is meant to highlight the work that the women-led breweries are doing, not tokenize the fact that they have women at the helm. These women are talented leaders and brewers, so support them by drinking great beer and getting to know them as brewers and breweries first. Please comment or e-mail us with any other women/non-binary-owned breweries that we may have missed!
In addition to my work, this list was compiled with the assistance of PorchDrinking writers, Colorado Brewery List, the Pink Boots Society, various Hop Culture articles, and a diverse breweries database created by Jeff Alworth.
Northeast Region
Southeast Region
Midwest Region
South Region
Mountain Region
Pacific Region
If your local woman-owned brewery is missing from this list, please reach out to us so we can keep this list updated!
Featured image is courtesy of Steph Byce / @mulvatronn