For over 7,000 years, the brew kettle wasn’t just a piece of industrial equipment – it was a domestic tool, and women were the keepers of the flame. March is Women’s History Month, and we’re tapping into an often overlooked story in the world of craft beer: the history of women in brewing.
Long before brewing became a “boys’ club”, it was a household art that was passed down from mother to daughter. These Brewsters (the original term for female brewers) were the undisputed masters of the craft. Here’s a look at how they built, stirred, and perfected the industry.
How Did Women Shape the History of Brewing?
Women were the primary architects of beer for millennia. They were the ones responsible for transforming it from a basic food source into a global craft. Their influence spans from ancient spiritual foundations to the modern industrial landscape as the original inventors, the Alewives of the Middle Ages, and as pioneers of the modern brewing industry.
Who Were the OG Brewsters?
Ages before the bearded brew bro became a stereotype, brewing was almost exclusively a woman’s domain. In ancient Mesopotamia, the Sumerians didn’t just like beer – they worshipped it. So much so that their deity of choice was Ninkasi, the goddess of brewing. In fact, the oldest known beer recipe in history is actually a poem from 1800 BCE titled “Hymn to Ninkasi.”
These ancient societies considered beer to be a vital source of nutrition and a safer alternative to contaminated water. In other words, it was viewed as liquid bread. This meant the brewing responsibility fell to the women. Whether it was the Egyptian goddess Hathor or the Incan women brewing chicha for religious ceremonies, women were the scientific and spiritual leaders of fermentation for millennia.
How Did Medieval Alewives Shape the Witch Archetype?
Brewing remained a domestic chore into the Middle Ages. During this stretch of history, women known as Alewives brewed small batches in their kitchens to feed their families. They would then sell the surplus for extra income.
These Alewives would signal that a fresh batch of ale was ready by placing a broomstick over their doors or wearing a tall, pointed hat so they could be spotted in a crowded marketplace – symbols associated with witchcraft.
While folklore links witchcraft accusations with women’s diminished role in brewing, the reasons were more economical. As brewing became more profitable and moved into centralized guilds during the 1500s, restrictive laws gradually pushed women out of the industry.
Why Were Women Pushed Out of the Brewhouse?
When the Industrial Revolution hit, brewing shifted from the kitchen to the factory. Large-scale production required capital and legal standing that women of the era simply weren’t allowed to have. Furthermore, by the time Prohibition was repealed in the United States, beer marketing had pivoted hard. It was now considered a man’s drink, and women were relegated to the role of the dutiful wife serving it.
For nearly a century, the rich history of women as the inventors and primary producers of beer was largely forgotten. But it was never truly gone.
How Are Modern Women Taking Back the Tap?
The craft beer industry’s rise in the 1980s and 90s was a catalyst for women to reclaim their place at the helm. Today, women play an increasingly visible role in shaping beer trends, brewing techniques, and brewery leadership. A few of these modern trailblazers include:
Teri Fahrendorf: An early American craft brewer, Fahrendorf founded the Pink Boots Society, an organization support women and non-binary professionals in the beer industry.
Rosa Merckx: Belgium’s first official female brewmaster and brewery operations director, Merckx broke glass ceilings in a country that’s celebrated for its beer culture.
Sara Barton: Drawing attention for her creative ales and industry advocacy in the U.K., Barton launched initiatives like Project Venus to connect and empower women brewers.
These industry leaders – and others around the world – are carving paths through an industry that has historically underrepresented women.
Celebrate Women in Brewing at The Growler Guys
At The Growler Guys, we’re proud to celebrate the diversity of craft beer. When you visit your local taproom this month, take a look at the handles. Many of your favorite pours are thanks to women leading the charge in innovation, sustainability, and flavor profile development – a role they continue to fill today. Stop in for a pint, flight, or growler fill, and raise a glass to the women who started it all!
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