We have exciting plans to mark International Women’s Day 2024, but we’re also taking the opportunity to look back at two key projects from the last 12 months.
Making a Brave Noise
Back in early 2023, Brew York became one of the first UK breweries to brew a Brave Noise beer.
Brave Noise is a global collaborative brew project advocating for a better beer industry. In May 2021 Brienne Allan of Notch Brewing in the US asked on Instagram “Have you ever experienced sexism in the beer industry?” which quickly triggered a response that sent shockwaves throughout craft beer. To keep the momentum going and show support for all those who spoke out, breweries around the world were called on to brew their own ‘Brave Noise’ beer, actively share their Code of Conduct, and donate to a cause that exists to help shape a better beer industry where everyone is safe and welcome.
Our Brave Noise beer was a delicious 5.2% West Coast Pale. A donation from proceeds was committed to The Egalitarian, who exist to challenge systemic gender inequality and injustice and deliver community-led and data-driven training and certification for pubs, bars and clubs, designed to keep people safe and help businesses thrive.
In addition, in 2023 The Egalitarian delivered an anti-sexual harassment, assault and violence programme with 20 Head of Steam management teams and Brew York brewed a collab beer with them to go on the bars at Head of Steam venues. A further donation from proceeds of this beer was also committed.
Once all the beer was sold and the figures were in, the final donation was made.
Elysia O’Neill, co-founder and Managing Director of The Egalitarian, said:
“We were so proud to have been chosen to receive donations from Brew York from the proceeds of the Brave Noise beer and The Egalitarian Has Landed brew. It was a privilege to work with such like-minded people as the Brew York team, Women On Tap and Brave Noise Beer to raise awareness of inequality in the nighttime economy and the beer industry.
The donations have helped us, as a women-led social enterprise start-up, to fund our everyday activism, awareness raising and victim support services which are the backbone of our brand. As a team driven by a passion to make a difference, the funding has been incredibly helpful in assisting us to empower victims who have experienced violence and injustice, maintain our Spike Report database, show people how to be effective allies against harmful behaviours and create a community that want to better society for everyone.”
We are delighted to have been able to support such a great cause and The Egalitarian continues to go from strength to strength.
Developing our team
In 2023, Brew York signed up to the #WECAN programme.
Led by Leeds Beckett University, the three-year #WECAN (Women Empowered through Coaching and Networking) project aims were to enhance the resilience and growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by building the leadership skills, capabilities and opportunities of women in the region.
A range of qualifications, courses and workshops were offered to our women and non-binary team members.
The beer industry continues to be male dominated, and Brew York joined this programme in acknowledgement of the fact that professional development is important particularly for women and other people from underrepresented groups to gain skills and progress in their careers.
We are delighted that five of our team achieved new leadership qualifications through this programme.
Jess Chaney, our Sales Account Manager, achieved the ILM Level 3 Leadership and Management
Daisy Cree, our General Manager at Handley Tap, achieved the ILM Level 3 Leadership and Team Skills
Jon Biggin, our Brewer, achieved the ILM Level 3 Leadership and Team Skills
Alison Cole, our HR Director achieved the ILM Level 3 Award in Effective Coaching
Rachel Auty, our Head of Marketing achieved the ILM Level 3 Award in Effective Coaching
We are incredibly proud of our team and their achievements!
Raising our glasses in 2024
For 2024 the 30+ women of Brew York have got their heads together and come up with a beer they want our team to make, including deciding the name and product design concept – details will be announced on International Women’s Day.
The beer will be brewed on 8th March and a launch event and social will take place at Brew York’s flagship venue on Walmgate on Wednesday 10th April. Keep your eyes on our social media for details and how you can get involved.
Cheers to women in beer!