Okay, ladies. Let’s talk beer, shall we? You know when you walk up to the bar, ask what’s on tap, and the server or bartender gives you a rundown of their light lagers and fruity brews? Yeah. That.

Wait, it gets better. Sometimes I’ll order an IPA, and the bartender or server (the same one I mentioned before) feels the need to let me know that IPAs are, “Really hoppy,” and, “Pretty bitter. Are you sure?” This gives me the sudden urge to throw my hair in pigtails and just say, “Hops. Ew! Gross.” – Jimmy Fallon-style.

Sure, more and more women are getting into beer, especially as the craft industry continues to boom; there are so many options, so many varieties, there is a brew out there for everyone. Power through, girls, this shit is delicious.

Women working in the beer industry, however, are few and far between. In my experience, it’s not because we’re not welcomed; in fact, it’s quite the opposite. The boys behind the tanks here in Calgary are truly some of the most wonderful people you’ll ever meet. It simply isn’t an industry that all that many girls venture into.

It’s about time for that to change, don’t you think?

That’s where the Pink Boots Society comes in, along with its International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day, which, naturally, fell on International Women’s Day. The purpose of the Pink Boots Society is to bring women in the industry together to help form a feeling of camaraderie, of connection. So, on Sunday, March 8, 2015, ladies from all over the world got together to brew Unite Red Ale, a beer that will be available to purchase in a few weeks, with proceeds going back into the community to help empower and educate women in brewing.

In Calgary, about 20 of us beer-loving girls (led by the lovely Natasha Peiskar) made our way to Tool Shed Brewing Company to make our own version of the Unite Red Ale on the 2nd Annual International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day. In two weeks, we’ll all return to the brewery to help can and label the beer, allowing us to be a part of the brew from start (milling the barley) to finish (designing our label).

If you want to be part of the craft brewing scene, it’s your job to put yourself out there and give it a try. We don’t need to beat the boys, we just need to join ‘em.