Friday, 13 January, 2012 - 08:26

Recent web and press reports that a homebrew competition at Lake Hayes A&P Show barred a contestant, Rachel Beer, from entry for being a woman have disappointed SOBA enough for many members to complain.

Women have long been involved in brewing. During the Middle Ages it was women -'alewives' - that brewed the beer for sale at 'public houses' and today there are many successful and award winning female brewers across the world.

"That there are women competing and excelling in the field of brewing should not come as a surprise" Said SOBA press secretary Martin Bulmer. "That there are still such sexist dinosaurs as evidenced by Lake Hayes A&P Show organisers should surprise us".

SOBA, the Society of Beer Advocates, a membership society set up to promote and support responsible drinking of craft beer, runs an annual homebrew competition which is open to all. SOBA Secretary, Greig McGill said: "Anyone can enter regardless of what genitals they possess. Contestants are judged on the quality of their beers alone".