Female Supremacy Articles - Page 11

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One such individual is Teri Fahrendorf, brewmaster at the Steelhead Brewery & Cafe in Eugene, Oregon. Fahrendorf notes that her present position is the result of her brewing ability, not because she is a woman. She believes experience and education are essential qualifications of a professional brewer. Fahrendorf knew she had the homebrew experience but realized that to advance to a professional level she needed a brewing diploma. So, she spent a term at the Siebel Institute of Technology in Chicago. "Without a degree and lacking professional experience, I knew I'd have a hard time getting hired."

Jennifer Talley of Salt Lake City's Squatter's Pub & Brewery understands how lack of experience can hinder job searches. Although she, too, had homebrew experience, it took her five months to land her job at Squatter's. Talley convinced the management to let her work for free, and after she proved what she could do they let her stay. She worked as an apprentice under the owner and is now an assistant brewer. Talley believes the reason why more women don't enter the brewing industry is because stereotypes perpetuate the perception that "women just can't brew."