An exploration of the existence of stereotypes and sexism in the UK brewing industry and culture
ALES &
FEMALES
'Interesting and exotic' brews at the Great British Beer Festival welcome more women to beer
12 August 2015
GBG editor Roger Protz
Credit: Jessica Pitocchi
The editor of the Good Beer Guide said the diversity and creativity found in the range of beers available today is testament to more women tasting the stuff.
Roger Protz, who writes and edits the annual CAMRA publication, told ALES & FEMALES: “So many brewers are now using interesting and exotic ingredients.
“There’s such a tremendous choice of beer.
"It’s not just a pint of bitter anymore."
Protz made the comments at the 38th Great British Beer Festival (GBBF) taking place this week, the largest annual event in CAMRA’s calendar.
The event boasts over 900 real ales, ciders and perrys from over 300 brewers, many of whom offer enthusiasts the opportunity to try beers with unusual ingredients such as fruitcake, chocolate orange, oysters and Earl Grey tea.
Protz identified golden ales and fruity beers as the particular types that appeal to women. He also commented on the introduction of tropical hops to British brews, which includes the rare, redcurrant-like rubrum berries from the small south Atlantic island of Tristan da Cunha used by a brewery on the Isle of Wight.
Meet the women at GBBF
who want more women in beer
Why one beer became top banana
Around ten years ago, brewer Charles Wells, which had a modified bus as a stall at this year’s GBBF, brought out a Banana Bread beer.
Protz described the beer as “a one-off special, specifically targeted at women.”
But the beer was an unexpected success, winning a number of accolades including ‘Beer of the Festival’ at CAMRA’s London Drinker Festival in 2002. Now it can be found bottled in all leading supermarkets, seasonally on draft, and in the hands of both men and women.
But what was the reason the beer was primarily aimed at women?
“Women do have different palates to men. They pick up bitter much more acutely which is why they don’t like very, very bitter beers,” said Protz.
Disclaimer: I had already coincidently tried this beer when speaking to Roger Protz and posted a picture of the bottle at the time.
“Apparently, New Zealand hops are very citrusy and fruity which women like,” he said.
However, CAMRA recently told ALES & FEMALES that their recent survey had revealed a slight decline in the percentage of real ale drinkers who are women.
Protz also said he had noticed more women attending beer tasting events.
About the BBC’s Good Food Show, he said: “Sometimes the audience is 50-50 men and women whereas ten years ago you’d be lucky if you got just a couple of women.”