The Alewife - A Woman Owned Microbrewery

The craft beer industry has grown substantially since the 1980s, with over 4,522 microbreweries opening across the United States. Of those thousands of breweries, less than ten percent of them have women brewers!  Women working in the craft beer industry are a minority in comparison to men.  

I plan to use this funding to develop a solid business plan, create our first batch of beer, and empower other women while I'm doing it.  I will hire a consultant to conduct market research and write a business plan to structure, run, and grow my brewing business.  I will network and support other women as I create my brand.  In my mission to create an accessible, delicious, and successful brewery, I pledge to support other women, as well as minority owned, and LGBTQ businesses.

Gender bias seems to persist in smaller craft breweries and it doesn’t have to be this way. In fact, for much of history, it wasn’t.

According to an article in The Atlantic, historically, women brewed and served beer to their communities. Over 4,000 years ago in ancient Egypt, beer was produced and sold by women. When the United States was first colonized in the late 1400s, women took on the role of brewers in society.

During the Industrial Revolution of the 1800s, men began to realize the business opportunities that came along with the beer industry and slowly took over women’s roles in brewing. As soon as brewing became a business, it turned into a boy’s club.

I am 41 years old, I have a MS Ed. and have a daughter.  I want to inspire other women to follow their dreams, believe in themself, do what they love, and be successful.  I will to inspire, educate, and empower women.