Women Unite for an International Collaboration

In honor of International Women’s Day, on Saturday March 8^th several women brewers from over fifty breweries will be collaborating to brew Unite Pale Ale. The Pink Boots Society and Project Venus designed and planned International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day to have women from all over the world brewing this cascade hopped, session pale ale at the same time. From Japan to England, Australia to Colorado Springs, these ladies are bringing attention to the growing number of women in the beer industry.Almost a dozen women from Colorado Springs breweries and beer bars will be uniting at Pikes Peak Brewing Co to brew up their version of the session pale ale while adding a touch of rye to the grain bill to mix things up. We talked to Aly Hartwig, Assistant Brewer at PPBC, and got the scoop about the Colorado Springs collaboration. 

Who is participating in International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day?

We’re going to have an awesome group of ladies from all over town coming together from several breweries. I’m especially excited for Lofty and Fieldhouse to participate, as Colorado Springs hasn’t gotten a taste of what they’re doing quite yet.Niki Fields, Fieldhouse Brewing Co. • Lynne Blesener, Bristol Brewing Co. • Molly Landl, Red Leg Brewing Co.Gretchen Foster, Great Storm Brewing • Carol White, Paradox Beer Co. • Abigail Baum, The Wild GooseJohannah Murphey, Trinity Brewing Co. • Morgan Newkirk, Bristol Brewing Co.Nicole Haak, Lofty Brewing Co. • Lauren Ritz, Brewer's Republic • Aly Hartwig, Pikes Peak Brewing Co. This is only a list of the ladies in Colorado Springs. The Pink Boots Society put together a map showing all of the participating breweries. It’s inspiring to see how big of a project IWCB is with so many breweries taking part.  

What will this beer support?

We wanted to raise money for some awesome nonprofits. The Pink Boots Society, which awards women scholarships to study brewing, was a no brainer. We also are very excited to donate to the local girls STEM fund. This will be a great fit because Southern Colorado Girls' STEM Initiative’s mission promotes increased participation of girls and women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math fields. STEM is carrying out some amazing things with Colorado Springs’ youth and has even made an impact on some of the participating brewers. 

When will it be tapped?

This beer will be tapped at several bars throughout Colorado Springs. A few have already expressed interest and are planning to tap it during Colorado Brewers Guild’s Colorado Craft Beer Week which is March 21-29. Pikes Peak Brewing Co – Fri March 21^stCollaboration Fest – Sat March 22^ndBrewer’s Republic – Wed March 25^thThe Wild Goose – Friday March 27^th Photo Credit to Niki Fields, Fieldhouse Brewing Co.