Women dominate beer group awards

Women involved in the beer and pub sector dominated the awards given at the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group (APPBG) Annual Dinner in Westminster recently with four of the seven awards going to five women.

The presentation was made by Mike Wood MP, the Chairman of the APPBG at the Beer Group’s Annual Awards Dinner in Westminster which attracted over 200 MPs, Peers and senior industry figures.

Sara Barton from Brewster’s Brewery in Grantham was nominated by the Institute of Brewing & Distilling as ‘Brewer of the Year’ for her brewing innovation, advocacy in communicating about beer and for blazing a trail for the current generation of female brewers and beer lovers.

Annabel Smith and Jane Peyton won a joint ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’. Annabel was described as one of the countries most respected beer quality trainers; one of the driving forces behind Dea Latis and hosting beer and food matching events for female MPs, the most recent being held last November.

Jane is a writer, broadcaster, events host and drinks educator. She holds the Guinness World Record for leading the world’s largest beer tasting; hosts a popular beer tasting tour of historic London pubs and instigated Beer Day Britain. Both were two of the UK’s first female beer sommeliers in 2012.

Ruth Smeeth, MP for Stoke North was awarded the honour of ‘Beer Parliamentarian of the Year’. Ruth has brewed her own beer, worked an evening behind the bar at the Bulls Head in Burslem; she has hosted two receptions in Parliament for Dea Latis and is the Beer Group’s Labour Vice chair.

Finally, Great British Bake-Off winner, Candice Brown, was named as the Beer Drinker of the Year.

Other awards at the dinner were:

• Special Award: Colin Valentine and Tim Page, CAMRA
• Pub Parliamentarian of the Year: Ben Bradley, MP for Mansfield.
• PubAid Award:  Stonegate Pub Company

The photograph shows Jane Peyton, Annabel Smith and Sara Barton toasting their awards

Drinks Maven pioneers BritHop on Beer Day Britain

Drinks writer and awards judge Jessica Mason, known more widely across social media as Drinks Maven is launching BritHop this Friday (15 June) to coincide with Beer Day Britain .

Jessica has created a series of beers created by UK brewers using new progressive British hops and aligned with British music with five of the UK’s best breweries.

The BritHop Series has been initiated in conjunction with hop merchant Charles Faram and the British Hop Association [BHA] and aims for a supergroup of new and exciting British beers to be brewed by some of the nation’s top brewers. Each beer will be aligned with a music track from a British band or artist that suits the beer.

Breweries involved in the project include: Burning Sky, The Kernel, Cloudwater, The Wild Beer Co and North Brewing Co.

“Great beer and great music should go hand-in-hand. In Britain, we are lucky enough to have both. The new progressive hop varieties we now have available to us in the UK are at the heart of this series and will be used to create some exciting new beers. This is the start of a journey into the next generation of flavour for British beer – an exciting step towards growing an appreciation for all of the nuances and subtleties of what British hops have to offer whilst also giving a nod to some decent music at the same time,” said Drinks Maven founder Jessica Mason.

BritHop is an independent project and a way for beer and music fans to also show support for local industry and the limited line-up of beers will be available to taste at a party at Mother Kelly’s in Bethnal Green London on the evening of 15^th June, 2018.

Breweries and their selected tracks are as follows:

• Burning Sky: The Astronauts – Typically English Day
• The Kernel: The Slits – Heard It Through The Grapevine
• Cloudwater: Kate Tempest – Europe Is Lost
• The Wild Beer Co: David Bowie – Changes
• North Brewing Co: Longpigs – Lost Myself

In launching this  project Jessica paid tribute to the Gender Pint Gap Report adding: “The discussions surrounding bridging the gap between women and beer have been really interesting. There is definitely more that we, as an industry, can do to remind people that beer is a drink for men and women and is completely ungendered. Projects pioneered by women but for the benefit of all go some way towards re-highlighting how beer is inclusive and how we all play a role in its future. In some cases women are underrepresented within the industry and yet that can sometimes lead to tokenisation to simply get a female face in the frame. However, there are women who work diligently behind the scenes driving change, building interest and garnering support for the future of the industry and how beer is perceived. Sometimes, we need to recognise that heading something up is, in many ways, akin to having a voice and a way to set a course for the future of an historically male-dominated sector where we can help shape exciting new developments in the beer world and challenge stereotypes before they become ingrained.”

For More Information

Visit: www.brithopped.co.uk and www.beerdaybritain.co.uk

Twitter and Instagram: #BritHop @drinksmaven

Email: jessica@drinksmaven.com and  jane@BeerDayBritain.co.uk

Is beer the last alcoholic drink with a gender bias?

Download PDF: The Gender Pint Gap Report_Dea Latis_May 2018

The UK has one of the lowest percentage of female beer drinkers in the world, despite the much lauded craft beer boom. Outdated sexist marketing, fear of the ‘beer belly’, and negative perceptions about flavour are all contributing to British women spurning our national drink. These are the findings in a new report into female attitudes and behaviours towards the UK’s favourite alcoholic drink.

The Gender Pint Gap report released by the women and beer group, Dea Latis is the first major piece of research about female attitudes towards beer in almost a decade. In a fast-moving consumer landscape that has seen a huge rise in the number of breweries and beer brands in the UK, the report reveals:

• Only 17% of women drink beer at least once a week (compared to 53% of men).
• Male oriented advertising is one of the three main barriers for over a quarter (27%) of women drinking beer – rising even higher for the 18-24 year-old female group to almost half (48%).
• A fifth of women (20%) say that high calorie content is one of the three main barriers for women drinking beer.
• 17% of women feel that ‘being judged by others’ is one of the three biggest barriers to drinking beer.
• 32% of women would now drink beer at home with friends, compared to just 3% of women in another survey about women’s drinking habits and their relationship with beer in 2009*.
• Taste is the great divide: Of the women who drink beer 56% do so because they like the taste; conversely, of the women who never drink beer 83% do so because they don’t like the taste.

The research conducted by YouGov was commissioned by Dea Latis, the group set up to inform and educate women about beer and to choose beer as a drink of choice. They wanted to examine whether the UK’s craft beer boom in the last decade has inspired more women to drink beer.

Comparing their statistics to a similar piece of research conducted in 2009*, it appears that female attitudes, perceptions and beliefs about beer have not changed much beyond a stronger trend to drinking beer at home. The report, say the authors, begs the question: why is the beer industry not tapping into this female market with an image overhaul?

Beer Sommelier and Dea Latis director Annabel Smith said: “We know that the beer category has seen massive progress in the last decade – you only need to look at the wide variety of styles and flavours which weren’t available widely in the UK ten years ago. Yet it appears the female consumer either hasn’t come on the same journey, or the beer industry just isn’t addressing their female audience adequately. Overtly masculine advertising and promotion of beer has been largely absent from media channels for a number of years but there is a lot of history to unravel. Women still perceive beer branding is targeted at men.”

Co-author of the report, Lisa Harlow added: “Our research has shown many misconceptions which women still hold about beer, such as calorific content, self-image and pre-conceptions about taste. It was disheartening in our supposedly enlightened times that so many of our female respondents cited ‘being judged by others’ as a reason for not drinking beer. Perhaps we need some high-profile celebrity advocates to show women that it is acceptable to drink beer?”

Beer writer, Sommelier & Certified Cicerone®, Melissa Cole said of the report: “An important piece of research that’s based on intelligent and insightful questions to unearth the simple ways the beer industry has managed to disenfranchise women from their once-loved drink over the last 70 years or so.

“It highlights everything from societal pressures to inappropriate serves to ingrained misogyny and more as just some of the issues and challenges the brewing industry to do something about it.

“But it’s not just criticism, it’s got rational advice on how the new, and old, guard of brewing can make beer relevant to 51% of the population again; but it’s also only just the start and I hope more long-overdue funding is provided to help address this issue.”

Jane Peyton, Beer Sommelier, writer, and founder of the School of Booze said: “The stats are fascinating and so insightful. I learned a lot about attitudes. This report should be read by everyone who makes and sells beer.”

The report concludes with a ‘Beer Drinking Women’s Manifesto’ which urges women who drink beer to become advocates; encouraging sampling, asking for different volumes and glassware and dispelling myths about calories and acceptability.

About the survey:

The Dea Latis survey was conducted using an online interview administered to members of the YouGov Plc UK panel of 800,000+ individuals who have agreed to take part in surveys.

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2026 adults of which 1094 were female. Fieldwork was undertaken between 3rd – 4th October 2017. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).

 

*Molson Coors’ Bittersweet Survey: ‘Study into the drinking habits of UK women and their relationship with beer’ was sourced from an ICM survey in 2009. ICM interviewed a random sample of 2002 women aged 18-64 from its online panel between 26^th – 28^th January 2009. Respondents who don’t drink alcohol were screened out.

 

 

Dinner with Beer at Lewes Octoberfeast

Ladies in Lewes are invited to swap their Prosecco for a pale ale for the evening, and come to a Dinner with Beer organised by beer and women group Dea Latis, as part of the Lewes Octoberfeast.  The dinner, in partnership with Harvey’s Brewery, takes place on 30 September, at the John Harvey Tavern.

Guests will be served a delicious four-course meal specially created by the pub’s chef, Dan Baker, to complement a variety of beers from Harvey’s and Burning Sky Brewery,  while award-winning Beer Sommelier Jane Peyton will be talking through the combinations and helping guests to discover the delights of beer and food matching.

Dea Latis has held similar dinners across the UK, but the event at the John Harvey Tavern is the first in Lewes. Dinners are ideal for women who are interested in food and drink, but men are also welcome.

Ros Shiel for Dea Latis said, “Our dinners are all about presenting beer in a new way to women and changing the way they think about it.  We show the diversity of beers, from pale ales to dark stouts, and we taste some magical beer and food matches.  By the end of the evening, even the staunchest wine drinkers have found a beer they love!

“We also address women’s concerns about beer, explaining that it’s made from natural ingredients, and that it doesn’t give you a ‘beer belly’, when drunk in moderation.  Most importantly, though, we want our guests to have a great time – and with a roomful of women enjoying the John Harvey Tavern’s fantastic food, paired with some brilliant beers, we think that’s guaranteed.”

Miles Jenner, head brewer at Harvey’s Brewery said: “Beer is a wonderful match to food because it is so versatile and works with a wide range of foods, yet many ‘foodies’, particularly women, still don’t think of drinking beer with a meal.  So an event like this is a great introduction, especially with the expert guidance from a Beer Sommelier, and we’re delighted to be partnering with Dea Latis to bring beer and food matching to the Octoberfeast.”

Buy tickets

Dinner with Beer starts at 7.30 on 30 September at the John Harvey Tavern,  Bear Yard, Cliffe High Street, Lewes.  Tickets are on sale now at £30 per person, including: welcome beer on arrival, four-course meal matched with beer and expert guidance from Jane Peyton.  To purchase, visit Eventbrite or call into the John Harvey Tavern.

 

 

 

Beer Sexism: It’s Spelled Ale Not Male

Dea Latis supporter, writer and beer sommelier Jane Peyton writes for the Publican’s Morning Advertiser on sexism in beer marketing. Read ‘It’s spelled Ale Not Male’ here.

 

“Don’t patronise a woman and assume she wants to drink wine”: ‘Independent’ interview with Jane Peyton

Beer Sommelier, beer historian and Dea Latis supporter Jane Peyton is interviewed by the Independent and talks about why beer makes people happy, why more women don’t drink beer – it’s the pint glasses, mainly – and Jane Austen’s spruce beer. Read it here:  http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/features/jane-peyton-interview-britains-beer-sommelier-of-the-year-on-witchcraft-and-jane-austen-10361455.html

 

 

 

Calling for a united front

Jane Peyton* has made an impassioned plea for beer as a guest blogger on Roger Protz’s blog ‘Protz on Beer’ – you can read the full article here: http://protzonbeer.co.uk/columns/2014/08/18/stop-the-squabbles–we-need-a-united-front-to-champion-all-good-beer but in the meantime here are some suggestions for actions that beer lovers might want to take:

• Try to convert cider and wine drinkers to beer- – especially women. Fewer than 15% of women in Britain are regular beer drinkers.  Even a small percentage increase in women drinking beer in a pub would have a significant and positive effect on the health of the industry. However this is a huge challenge because one of the biggest reasons why women in this country do not drink beer is because they perceive it as being blokey.  Many beer marketing companies do not help because they market beer just at men, making millions of people assume that beer is a man’s drink and that women are not welcome at the party. Of course we know that beer is a gift from nature to all humans!  No one calls wine “female” — and it’s ludicrous to assign a gender to food or drink.  But if people insist on giving beer a male gender then they should read my blog on the Huffington Post where I write about beer having more female elements than any other alcoholic drink.  Read it by clicking here:
• If your local pub serves food, ask the manager to include a beer suggestion to match with each dish on the menu. If they are unable to stock a wide selection of cask ales ask them to offer a wider selection of bottled beers and have a beer menu with description of style and descriptive tasting notes.  Food matching is where beer has no competition!
• Write to local and national newspapers and ask them to include more positive features about beer, and if those publications have a wine column, ask them to print a beer column too.
• If your local or favourite brewer is beholden to New World hops, encourage them to use British hops instead. British hops are more subtle than their New World counterparts, and that subtlety permits the malts to shine too, showing off the complexity of the beer. By doing so you will help to save the British hop industry and will taste just why British malt is renowned as being the best brewing and distilling barley in the world!
• Join the Beer Day Britain project to deliver the world’s greatest national beer day – 15 June 2015. And also sign a petition I have started for the British Government to serve British beer at official receptions and to be proud to showcase our peerless national drink.  See details of the national beer day and petition by clicking here

Beer is such a joy-giving drink — more so than other beverage. So let’s celebrate and share it whether your favourite tipple is a pint of Spitfire, Carling or Gamma Ray.  Bottoms up!

*Jane Peyton is Britain’s Beer Sommelier of the Year, founder of the School of Booze, and author of several books including ‘Beer o’ Clock’. She is driving the idea for Beer Day Britain and has joined forces with brewers Sophie de Ronde of Brentwood Brewing, and Sara Barton of Brewster’s Brewing Company to work with the beer industry to make it happen.

 

Women: Beer is a libation for you to drink and brew too

Fellow Dea Latis enthusiast, beer sommelier, alcohol historian and blogger, Jane Peyton, has just had an article published in the Huffington Post and she has kindly allowed us to publish it here in time for International Women’s Day on 8th March – let’s say ‘cheers’ to that!

Here’s the irony – many women do not drink beer because they think it is masculine but of all alcoholic drinks beer has more female elements and connections than any other.  So, to celebrate International Women’s Day March 8, let’s raise a glass of something that our female ancestors invented.  Yes – women were the first brewers of beer.  For thousands of years women were the primary brewers and even today in parts of Africa and the South American rainforest where beer is made at home or on a communal village basis they still are.  In those societies men drink the beer but they have no role in its production.

No-one knows when beer was first brewed, or where but it was at least 9,000 years ago. Unconnected societies in the Amazon, Neolithic Chinese villages and settlements in the Middle East (what is now Iran and Iraq) brewed an alcoholic beverage made from whatever cereal was grown there. In the creation myths of many ancient cultures, beer was a gift to humanity from a woman or a goddess.   The major deities of beer are female – Ninkasi and Dea Latis are two of them. More practically, the yeast that ferments cereal or fruit sugars and creates alcohol reproduces asexually -its offspring are daughters, not sons.  And there is more.  Brewers use hops to contribute aromas, flavours, bitterness and as a natural preservative. It is the female part of the plant that is used in brewing, not the male. Hops are also a rich source of plant based female hormones (phytoestrogens) which is a partial reason why some beer drinking men have moobs and big bellies. Hops also act to suppress the male sexual drive and performance.  Brewers’ Droop exists!

Women who are put off beer believing they will grow a gut if they drink it should be aware of this fact.  Measure for measure beer has fewer calories than any other alcoholic drink.  A pint of typical pub beer at 4% alcohol by volume (ABV) is 190 calories.  A pint of wine (just more than 2 large glasses) is around 400 calories – more than twice the equivalent of the 4% ABV beer.  The calories in beer contain proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, no fat – and because they are fermented, those calories are four times more nutritious as beer than they are as barley in food.  It’s more likely to be a burger belly than a beer belly because unfortunately beer and salad do not go together as well as beer and pork scratchings.

Some women say they do not drink beer because it is bitter flavoured.  Women tend to be more sensitive to bitterness – most likely because of evolutionary factors.  Bitterness in nature is often a sign of danger so early nomadic societies where the women were out gathering food and test tasting it would avoid anything that was bitter.  Some beers are bitter, many are not.  Styles such as wheat beer, barley wine, imperial Russian stout often appeal to people who do not like bitterness.

In most countries the brewing industry is dominated by men. But there is nothing in the job of brewing that precludes women from doing it. Brewing is like cooking, but with bigger vessels and more washing up.  So any woman who enjoys devising or following recipes will find brewing satisfying indeed and the resulting beer makes people cheerful, and in moderation, is healthful.

On March 8th an international beer brewing celebration will take place when professional female brewers around the world all brew the same beer recipe on the same day.  Profits from the sale of Unite Pale Ale will be donated to charity.  The idea was the brainchild of Sophie de Ronde, head brewer at Brentwood Brewing Company in Essex and she persuaded dozens of her British counterparts and women in the USA, Italy Canada, Ireland, Israel, Australia and New Zealand to join in on the International Women’s Collaboration Brew as a way of enthusing women everywhere to drink beer or consider a career in brewing.

So lasses who are not already beer drinkers or brewers – come on let’s be having you!  Beer is a gender neutral drink that is a gift from nature to all humans. It is the world’s favourite alcoholic drink and women were central to beer from the beginning. Let’s be proud and acknowledge the role of women in something that brings so much joy, goodness and happy times.