Ohio Brewers Association to host Women in Beer Summit in April

The Ohio Craft Brewers Association is holding a first-of-its-kind event to raise awareness of the impact women have made on the state’s craft brewing industry. Eclipsing Stereotypes: Women Shine in Ohio Craft Beer, the association’s inaugural women’s summit, will take place on Sunday, April 7 from 2-5 p.m. at Seventh Son Brewing in Columbus.

The summit is intended to be an interactive, intersectional and inclusive event for women and femme folks working in or interested in joining the craft brewing industry. It is also a fundraiser for the Ohio Craft Brewers Association’s forthcoming brewing scholarship program to benefit students from communities underrepresented in the industry.

“Unlike the solar eclipse that will happen shortly after our summit, women make an impact on the world of craft beer every day,” said Mary MacDonald, executive director of the Ohio Craft Brewers Association. “Women still make up a disproportionately small percentage of the brewing industry workforce, especially in production, but opportunities are on the rise for women with the drive to brew beer professionally or open their own breweries.”

What’s planned?

Amy Mast of Craft Leadership will moderate a panel discussion, shining a spotlight on women in the industry and bringing awareness to opportunities that exist for women in craft beer. Panelists include:

• Hannah Kent, head brewer at Urban Artifact in Cincinnati;
• Aspasia Lyras-Bernacki, co-owner of Penguin City Brewing Company in Youngstown;
• Jaime Sipps, operations and community manager at HiHO Brewing Company in Cuyahoga Falls; and
• Jenn Suitt, head brewer at Homestead Beer Company in Gahanna.

Women from Ohio breweries gather each year to create special beers to commemorate International Women’s Day, and more than a dozen of those will be on tap at the summit. The beers range in styles and include experimental light beers, traditional farmhouse-style ales, IPAs brewed with the annual Pink Boots fundraising hop blend from Yakima Chief Hops, and more. All attendees will receive a commemorative event glass and tasting tickets for 10 four-ounce samples.

In addition to the craft beer and industry networking, the summit will host women-owned businesses, makers and creatives, including food trucks and DJs to entertain the crowd during the event. There will also be a make-your-own friendship bracelet station so attendees can take home a personalized souvenir.

Tickets are available in advance for $35 each and $45 at the door on the day of the event. Current brewing industry members can purchase tickets for $30 in advance with a discount code provided by the Ohio Craft Brewers Association. Industry ticket holders are invited to a mixer starting at noon prior to the summit.