As an International Women’s Day special, we bring you a series of mini-interviews with some of our team as we chat about their work, where and what they like to drink, and what it’s like for them – breaking the mould in the beer industry.
First up, here’s Jess…
Jess Chaney
Pronouns: She/ Her
What is your role at Brew York and what does it involve?
My role is York Account Manager. My role simply involves making sure there is Brew York beer in all of the other lovely pubs in York. I am responsible for establishing and maintaining relationships with pubs and businesses and finding new and exciting ways to work with them.
What do you love most about the work you do?
What I really love about this job is meeting so many different people and having so many great conversations about collaboration and putting them into action.. over a pint of course!
Jess Chaney
The craft beer industry is known for its lack of diversity and for having a predominantly cisgender, heterosexual white male image. What are your own experiences as someone who doesn’t fit the usual mould?
I mean, not to get up on my soapbox too much but there are a lot of industries that have been very much used to a white, male cisgendered image. It’s pretty refreshing that conversations are now happening to include a more diverse demographic in the craft beer industry. I don’t feel that craft beer, being so incredibly diverse as it is with choices of drinks, can sustain the “same” image – so I say let’s break the mould.
Improving diversity is a no brainer, being not only socially important but also offering commercial advantages. How do you think we can improve diversity in beer and have you seen any good examples of this happening?
I haven’t been in the industry very long (less than a year in fact) and actually I have met so many awesome women, from brewers, to heads of wholesale, managers etc. I would like to see more and more exposure for lots of different identities but I am confident that will come in time as it’s the way the industry is heading.
Tell us somewhere you love to go for a beer, and what would you ideally like to see on the bar when you get there?
I love a pub with character! I don’t know if I am so spoiled for choice with York being so rich with pubs and its histories but I love a cosy, historic and unique aesthetic.. Maybe a pub cat too! As for beer I will give anything a try but my favourites are modern pale ales, DDH’s, DIPA, NEIPA’s etc.
If someone wanted to get into beer but doesn’t fit the mould or feel they belong in the industry, what would you say to them?
Not fitting the mould is the first step, just be yourself! With craft beer having so much variety, there is a variety of people too so don’t be anything other than yourself! Sit back and have a pint and I guarantee you will be fine.
Next up, here’s Sam…
Sam Warren-Close
Pronouns: She/ Her
What is your role at Brew York and what does it involve?
As Sales & Logistics Coordinator, I manage all of our accounts outside of the UK, from Europe and Scandinavia right the way out to East Asia & Australia. I work with importers to select the right beers for the markets, liaise with freight forwarders to ensure goods travelling by road, air or ocean arrive safely and cross borders with the right paperwork in place. I also get to travel to represent and pour Brew York at international festivals which is fun!
What do you love most about the work you do?
I love that I have the freedom and trust from Wayne and Lee to just get the job done!! I know Brew York like the back of my hand, and feel a great sense of personal and professional achievement when I secure a new deal, or start a new relationship with an importer. (Free beer is also a massive perk!)
The craft beer industry is known for its lack of diversity and for having a predominantly cisgender, heterosexual white male image. What are your own experiences as someone who doesn’t fit the usual mould?
Having an androgynous name, I’ve been misgendered via email so many times that I’ve had to have my pronouns added to my e-signature, as it’s constantly assumed that I’m male.
The craft beer sector is becoming more inclusive, and I’m seeing many more female brewers, sales reps etc than 5 years ago. There is still a very present issue with women being used as sexual objects in advertising. CAMRA started to ban these names at their UK beer festivals in 2019, but they are still being put into the market, and there is a dangerous toxic masculinity behind the people brewing them, and the (let’s face it) men who are still buying into it.
How do you think we can improve diversity in beer and have you seen any good examples of this happening?
I think we are finding a good balance – we have female/non-binary members of staff across all departments, and we champion success in a way that isn’t patronising.
Sam Warren-Close
Tell us somewhere you love to go for a beer, and what would you ideally like to see on the bar when you get there?
My local is The Market Tap in Castleford, with 10 constantly-changing craft lines of sours, stouts and IPAs. The owners are good family friends of mine, and with our children being similar ages they have grown up together.
If someone wanted to get into beer but doesn’t fit the mould or feel they belong in the industry, what would you say to them?
BREAK THE MOULD!! I’m a minority triple threat – female, gay and living with a disability, but as long as you’re passionate and knowledgeable about what you do, you WILL be taken seriously.
Now it’s time to hear from Jon…
Jon Biggin
Pronouns: They/ Them
What is your role at Brew York and what does it involve?
I’m the Cellar Manager in the brewery, which means I’m responsible for everything that happens to the beer between brewing it and packaging it. Adding fruit? Dry hopping? That’s all my domain.
What do you love most about the work you do?
It sounds a bit cliché, but no two days are ever the same. We brew so many different beers that all have their own needs and approaches, it keeps you on your toes. Plus, we have a great team that works together really well.
The craft beer industry is known for its lack of diversity and for having a predominantly cisgender, heterosexual white male image. What are your own experiences as someone who doesn’t fit the usual mould?
Trans and non-binary identities are something that until only recently weren’t widely recognised, even beyond the brewing world. I think brewing is learning and adapting like everyone else. It’s obviously a tricky process, learning to handle pronouns and avoiding misgendering, but I’m heartened to see a lot of people genuinely trying their best.
How do you think we can improve diversity in beer and have you seen any good examples of this happening?
I’ve been a champion of representation for a while now. It’s only when we stand up and are visible, that others can see that there are people like them, and that there is a place for them. It took me until my 30s to figure out my gender identity and it’s not something I think I would have done if it had not been for others sharing their stories. I’m a big fan of what Lily Waite is doing with the Queer Brewing Project in London. She’s proudly proclaiming, we’re here, we’re queer, and we make beer!
Tell us somewhere you love to go for a beer, and what would you ideally like to see on the bar when you get there?
I used to live down in Kent and I really love Fuggles Beer Cafe in Tunbridge Wells, it’s super welcoming with a great atmosphere. I’d like to see a great range of interesting beers I’d never tried before, and I know they wouldn’t disappoint.
If someone wanted to get into beer but doesn’t fit the mould or feel they belong in the industry, what would you say to them?
Go for it! There are plenty of opportunities for someone with a “can do” attitude no matter their identity or background, and you’ll be helping to shift those outdated perceptions of brewing.
Nadia Spencer and Jon Biggin
Finally, it’s over to Nadia…
Nadia Spencer
Pronouns: She/ Her
What is your role at Brew York and what does it involve?
I’m a brewer but I work across a bit of everything in production – mainly brewing and cellaring and occasionally packaging too.
What do you love most about the work you do?
It’s hard to be specific. I really like the combination of science and creativity, and I love everything about producing. I just love the biology of beer, how everything interacts and works, then using creativity to mould it into what you want it to be. The process is just fascinating and fantastic.
The craft beer industry is known for its lack of diversity and for having a predominantly cisgender, heterosexual white male image. What are your own experiences as someone who doesn’t fit the usual mould?
It has been a bit strange to come into an industry where I’m working predominantly with men. My previous jobs in hospitality and the care sector were quite female dominated.
I do think the awareness of working in a male dominated industry probably does subconsciously change how I act. Women carry extra pressure to meet the expectations, and I feel that. In many sectors you feel you have to do better and more than the men around you would need to. It’s external societal pressures you just carry with you.
Other people’s attitudes are another thing – their comments and presumptions about you. One example is when I get delivery drivers saying things like ‘do you actually drink the beer??’ then being utterly baffled when I tell them I make it too.
All this just makes me want to connect with women in the industry a lot more. You can feel how much you’re a minority a lot of the time, which makes me want to reach out to others who are also minority a lot more – to reach out for a community.
How do you think we can improve diversity in beer and have you seen any good examples of this happening?
Things like this, which are really positive. It’s so important to showcase people in the industry that aren’t the usual stereotype, showing others you don’t have to be the stereotype to be in beer. Representation really is key.
I did see one company offer a scholarship for women and non-binary people to train in brewing. Offering opportunities to people who are underrepresented and making those opportunities widely known about is incredibly positive.
Tell us somewhere you love to go for a beer, and what would you ideally like to see on the bar when you get there?
I’ve got two favourite spots in York: Fossgate Social and Trembling Madness. I want a big range of beers on the bar as I like to try all sorts. I don’t discriminate and will drink cask and keg and everything. I love these two drinking spots for exactly this reason.
Style-wise if I had to choose one, sours are always my favourite. Even better – a lambic.
If someone wanted to get into beer but doesn’t fit the mould or feel they belong in the industry, what would you say to them?
You will always find your people.
When you spend time in the industry you’ll come across all types of people from all different backgrounds, and you’ll find a community that works for you.
The bottom line is, if you don’t fit the mould, it probably means the industry needs you.
Thank you to Jess, Sam, Jon and Nadia for sharing their thoughts and personal experiences.