To mark International Women’s Day, Stroud Brewery is releasing a dry, fruity and zingy 4.5% pale ale inspired by times past when brewers were principally women and who, before hops were introduced into the UK, utilised botanicals for flavour.
‘Brew Belles’ is orange in colour and flavour with subtle botanical flavours, aiming to widen beer’s appeal to new audiences.
This unique beer will be available exclusively in the brewery’s taproom from today, Sunday, and is a small-batch brew so once it’s gone, it’s gone. Anyone wanting to try it should visit as soon as possible.
Despite today representing just 9% of active brewers, women have a long and rich heritage of brewing beer, especially in Europe. Before the modern commercialisation of brewing, beer was primarily crafted by brewsters – female brewers, often referred to as ale wives. The spring release of Brew Belles both calls back to this period of history, and celebrates the women of today who work in the industry. The use of citrusy hops and botanicals such as a hint of lavender (an important inclusion that celebrates the Cotswolds) is a reminder that beer can be many things, and has resulted in a unique pint that will appeal to even the more hesitant of beer drinker.
Victoria Dovey-Spicer, the only current female brewer at the brewery, took the lead in crafting this latest special-edition beer. Victoria’s own journey into brewing is an interesting and unusual one – after a career in product marketing for various tech corporations, she decided a complete change was needed. She swapped the unfulfilling 5 days a week sitting behind a computer for a job giving her the creative satisfaction of an end product that’ll be enjoyed by her own community and beyond. She’s always been a fan of Stroud Brewery: as a social venue to meet her friends, as the place where she and her now husband had their 3rd date and then providing the beer offered to their wedding guests!
Victoria finds the whole brewing process fascinating and how subtle changes to the chemistry and process can produce such differing tasting beers. She started working at the brewery last July and has been learning the art of brewing craft, organic beer. Brew Belles is her first recipe and she’s now looking forward to working with the other brewers to create many more.
“The category of beer is wonderfully vast, both historically and in today’s landscape,” said Victoria.
“By crafting a beer with botanical elements, we are trying to push the boundaries of modern beer’s image, and appeal to people who may not think of themselves as a beer drinker. We’re also proud to mark International Women’s Day with this unique recipe to celebrate women in the industry, past and present. Brew Belles is a 4.5% ABV pale ale, dry but fruity and zingy, orange in colour and flavour with subtle notes of lavender. We invite you to come to the taproom to give it a try and test your perception of what beer can be.”
