International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day 2026: A Renewed Focus on Inclusion in Brewing

The International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day (IWCBD) will make its return in 2026, featuring collaborative initiatives designed to enhance its impact in the brewing industry. This event aims to address the continued underrepresentation of women in a sector that has historically been male-dominated.

Objectives of the IWCBD Initiative

Women On Tap CIC founder Rachel Auty emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating, “It’s fantastic to have the backing of SIBA, WSET and other leaders across the industry so we can build further on the great work Sophie de Ronde did with this campaign over the last decade.”

This campaign is aimed at transforming the beer industry into a more inclusive space where everyone is welcomed and can thrive. The IWCBD encourages communities to gather at local breweries annually around March 8 to brew, network, learn, and celebrate women’s contributions to the industry.

Current Landscape of Women in Brewing

Despite efforts to promote gender equality, recent research indicates that women represent only 30% of the UK’s overall workforce in the beer industry—a figure that has not changed since 2022. Specifically, women in brewing roles have decreased from 11% in 2019 to just 4% today. The proportion of women serving as brewers has also dropped from 9% to 8%, while management roles held by women have seen a decline from 25% to 23%. Furthermore, women dominate administrative positions, making up 78% of that segment.

Aims for Future Growth

The IWCBD is poised to tackle these disparities by fostering greater representation and enhancing support networks within the brewing community. Following a decade-long run under Sophie de Ronde, the campaign took a hiatus in 2024 before being revitalized by Women On Tap CIC.

The 2025 IWCBD included successful events with 61 brew days, involving 837 participants who collectively raised £26,921 for 44 women’s causes globally.

Partnerships and Enhancements for 2026

For its upcoming event in 2026, Women On Tap has secured essential partnerships and funding to facilitate program enhancements:

• The Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA) will continue as a headline partner, reaffirming its commitment to fostering inclusivity.
• The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) will be the education partner again, expanding its support by increasing the number of places offered for the Level 1 Award in Beer from 18 to 30.
• A new bursary scheme will provide financial assistance for participants needing help with travel costs, thereby reducing barriers to participation.
• Additional sponsors include the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), Charles Faram, Kegstar, Lallemand, The Malt Miller, and the Women On Tap CIC Changemakers.

Leadership Voices

SIBA Chief Executive Andy Slee expressed enthusiasm regarding the partnership: “Improving the diversity of the beer industry and attracting more women to join brewing is essential for the future of the sector.”

Natalya Watson, a certified beer educator at WSET, added, “WSET is thrilled to increase our impact for next year’s IWCBD campaign. Our qualifications build confidence and create opportunities for participants to advance in the beer industry.”

Sign-Up Information

Registration for the IWCBD will open in October 2025, with an online event in November for interested parties to learn more and connect with potential collaborators.