Just in time for International Women’s Day, Niagara College’s Teaching Brewery is rolling out a new roster of small batch beers that step-up support for diversity.
Six new student-crafted Pink Boots beers have been created in support of the Pink Boots Society of Canada, a national non-profit organization that helps women and non-binary people in the fermented and alcoholic beverage industry advance their careers through education.
“We’re proud our continued involvement with the Pink Boots initiative, a global effort to support women and non-binary individuals in the fermented beverage industry,” said Craig Youdale, Dean of Culinary, Tourism and Beverage Studies. “By crafting beers with the official Pink Boots hop blend, our students not only gain hands-on experience that prepares them for the industry but participate in a meaningful initiative that directly aligns with our College’s core values.”
Five of the brews which feature the exclusive Pink Boots hop blend, created by staff and students from the Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management program, will hit the shelves on March 6:
• February in the Tropics: A New England IPA boasting juicy mango and a well-balanced hop bitterness.
• King Köln: A high-ABV Kolsch offering a deep gold colour and a lingering tropical sweetness.
• Les Journée d’octobre: A French Saison featuring notes of clove, black pepper, and subtle stone fruit.
• Sunburnt Kiss: A lactose New England IPA with orange/mango creamsicle flavour notes. The unique recipe was created by second-term student Blake Hunt.
• When in Köln: A classic Kolsch with bready notes and a hint of peach and mango.
Tapping into new talent
Second-term Brewmaster student Blake Hunt works on Sunburnt Kiss – her first beer recipe – which used Pink Boots hops. It will be among a roster of Pink Boots beers from the College’s Teaching Brewery to hit the shelves just in time for International Women’s Day.
As the only woman in her class, second term Brewmaster student Blake Hunt filled the shoes of a head brewer for the first time with her first commercial recipe for Pink Boots beer Sunburnt Kiss, which was brewed by her class.
“I think the support for Pink Boots is essential to promote and allow more women and non-binary individuals to enter the beverage alcohol industry,” said Hunt. “It allows for a safe place in a prominently male-dominated field and is a necessary support to further the industry.”
Originally from Georgetown, Hunt sought a hands-on career that matched her passion for beer. From competing in Caps, Corks and Forks – a dinner event where beer students compete with wine students for the perfect pairings – to volunteering for the student-led, end-of-term beer festival Project Brew, Hunt is gaining the experience needed to eventually open her own brewery.
Instructor Adam Marshall, who created many of this year’s Pink Boots beer recipes, noted that while they were mostly brewed by second-term students, Pink Boots brew days were open for all students in the program to participate.
Marshall pointed out the importance of community for the craft beer industry and highlighted the importance of supporting women in the industry, who – despite their significant role in brewing throughout history – have often been overlooked.
“An initiative that supports women in brewing and fermentation industry jobs is a really great way for us to make sure that there increasing excitement, encouragement, and education/opportunities for women specifically; in what has been, in recent history, a more male dominated industry,” said Marshall. “Luckily, those numbers are changing, and we are seeing more women brewing outstanding beers around Ontario, many of whom are our alumni and it makes us super proud.”
Alumni return for Pink Boots brew
This marks the sixth year that NC’s Teaching Brewery has been kicked up support for the Pink Boots Society Canada, since hosting its first collaboration brew day on International Women’s Day in March 2020.
On March 1, a small group of recent Brewmaster alumni returned to the Teaching Brewery to craft a sixth Pink Boots beer: a crisp, juicy New Zealand Pilsner, set to release in the coming weeks.
For Mandy Blais, a 2024 graduate now studying Data Analytics, it was her third time taking part in the Pink Boots initiative at the Teaching Brewery and she valued the chance to continue her involvement.
“I adore brewing and love seeing the cohorts coming up behind me, women like Blake, who are just starting off on their journey,” said Blais. “It feels good to have the opportunity to mentor other women and make sure there’s representation and diversity in the industry.”
For Noelia Melisa Quiverio Hincapie, who is a 2024 graduate from the program, it was another chance to follow her passion for brewing while supporting an inspiring initiative that empowers women in the brewing industry. Originally from Colombia, she was a chemical engineer before enrolling in the program and currently works as a Lab Technologist at the College.
“I like to show women that we can be in the industry, and we can do great things,” said Quiverio Hincapie. “It’s nice to stay involved with this event and help empower women.”
Where to buy
Beers in the Pink Boots series will be available while supplies last at NC’s Wine Visitor + Education Centre retail store – alongside other student-crafted products from the College’s Teaching Brewery, Teaching Winery and Teaching Distillery – located at NC’s Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake and online at ncteachingwinery.ca.
This year marks 15 years for NC’s trailblazing Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management program, which launched in 2010 as the first of its kind in Canada. The award-winning, two-year program offers extensive hands-on training at an on-site, state-of-the-art Teaching Brewery to prepare students for employment in the expanding brewery, microbrewery and brewpub industries. Located at the College’s Daniel J. Patterson in Niagara-on-the-Lake, students learn from award-winning faculty and have access to on-site hop yard and local farm products to brew a full range of beer styles. Visit ncteachingbrewery.ca/
