NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, Ont. — Students in Niagara College’s (NC) Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management program have begun working on the Pink Boots collaboration beer for 2022 in support of a larger global initiative launched by Pink Boots Society — a non-profit that aims to assist, inspire and encourage women in the fermentable-beverage industry through education.
This is the third-consecutive year NC Brewmaster students have supported the Pink-Boots initiative. New this year, brewing for Pink Boots will take place over two days at the Teaching Brewery to give students from several classes an opportunity to participate. The 2022 Pink Boots Brew will be a 6.5 per cent ABV Double IPA, using a special blend from Yakima Chief Hops, a partner of Pink Boots. Hops will donate $3 from every pound sold to Pink Boots Society for education and programming.
“We are always excited when our students can take part in the Pink-Boots initiative and shine a spotlight on gender equality in the brewing industry,” says Craig Youdale, dean of the Canadian Food and Wine Institute. “Niagara College is keenly aware there is work to be done in support of equality, diversity and inclusion in the brewing workforce, and we look forward to supporting that growth in the future.”
“It is an honour and privilege for us to once again participate in Pink Boots,” says Maija Saari, associate dean of the Canadian Food and Wine Institute. “As educators of the next generation of brewers and fermenters, we must continue to support and encourage more women and non-binary people to enter the field.”
“It’s important to keep up initiatives that encourage women to think of brewing as a career and to continue to support and help those that are already brewers, owners and suppliers,” says Jon Downing, Brewmaster professor.
Last month, NC students crafted a Brave Noise Pale Ale at the Teaching Brewery. This collaborative effort aimed to make the beer industry safe and free from discrimination for women, BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ people.
