Female Supremacy Articles - Page 11

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In Europe, female brewers were the norm. In England during the 1700s, a survey found 78% of licensed brewers were women (1). Traditionally, it was a woman's job to brew beer for the household. In fact, certain laws stated that the tools used in brewing were solely the woman's property (2). Things changed in medieval times, when monasteries began brewing beer on a larger scale for passing travelers. Gradually, women became less and less involved in brewing. The industrial revolution transferred brewing from the home to the marketplace. Men began claiming local taverns as their domain, and women began drinking less beer (3). Alewives were replaced by male brewers, and brewers have tended to be male ever since.

FEMALE BREWERS TODAY

It has taken women some time to regain a place in the brewing industry. In today's workplace, women often face barriers that prevent their participation, and the brewing industry is no exception. With prevailing stereotypes, sexist advertising, and lack of experience with female brewers, the industry includes few women.

This trend, however, is slowly changing. Some women make successful careers as brewers. They know that making good beer is independent of sex and show the brewing community by way of example.