T H E S TAT E | C L U B S
Ladies Who Brew
The Oklahoma Women’s Craft Beer Society brings the female perspective to a maledominated industry.
The Oklahoma Women’s Craft Beer Society encourages ladies to get involved in the state’s brewing frenzy. Photo courtesy OWCBS
D
uring the summer of 2020, Stacia Sharp asked the folks on the Facebook page “Oklahoma Craft Brewers Society” if there was any interest in starting a women’s craft beer division. The response was overwhelming, and the Oklahoma Women’s Craft Beer Society was born. Once a month, the group explores territory that was male-dominated for many decades. The members, with their distinguished pallets, are passionate about brewing and familiar with the incredible beers this state can produce, from peanut butter Porters and stout IPAs to Kolsch, Helle and everything in between. Despite the last few decades, women led the art of brewing through history. In Europe, it is common to see breweries connected to convents or monasteries, where women were traditionally in charge of the business until around the 15th century. Since then, men have taken over ... but people like Stacia are out to change that. On top of learning about the beers they enjoy, the members of the OWCBS recently partnered with Period OKC, an organization that gives back to the community by providing menstrual products to people in need. The society created a brew with Core4 Brewing in Oklahoma City called “11 O’Clock Kickoff,” a coffee cream ale; proceeds from that batch went to the organization.
says Stewart. In addition to events and meetings, the She encourages any woman who is intersociety gets together with other beer enthuested in brewing to follow that drive. Educasiasts all over the state for tastings, comtion, along with visiting breweries, talking munity events and other celebrations, like to brewers, home brewing and even taking International Stout Day on Nov. 4, which some online classes can help one create an consisted of a gathering at Angry Scotsman edge in the beer world. in Oklahoma City. It is simple events like “OWCBS has been great for connecting these that keep the group chugging along ... with other beer advocates,” says Stewart. paired with the quality of the members. In addition, the quantity of members is steadily “I just love the things the group does to further education and growing due to an abunadvocacy.” dance of passion. For group informaKayla Stewart, lead tion, meeting times, or to brewer at Anthem Brewjoin a community of likeing Company, loves seeing minded beer aficionados, women showing up with check out Oklahoma enthusiasm. She is ener• Lacy Richards of NothWomen’s Craft Beer Socigized by the growing numing’s Left Brewery: ety on Facebook, or just bers of female brewers nothingsleftbrew.co stop by one of the many she’s met throughout the • Broke Brewing Company: hidden gems Oklahoma state and at national conbroke.beer has when it comes to ferences, and acknowledg• Kayla Stewart of Anthem craft breweries. es that while the industry Brewing Co.: Tours can often be is primarily male-centric, anthembrewing.com arranged and brewers the growing number of • Lisa McIlroy of Cabin Boys: are a passionate group, women is refreshing. cabinboysbrewery.com usually willing to show “I was lucky to get my • Core4 Brewing: off their craft. Whatever start at Angry Scotsman core4brewing.com route one chooses, this and through them, I was • Equity Brewing Company: is a hobby with no limits able to make the connecequitybrewingco.com for the imagination. tions that led me to my ERIKA BROWNING brewing home at Anthem,”
WOMEN OF NOTE
JANUARY 2022| WWW.OKMAG.COM
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