2023 WA STATE CHAMPION BREWERY

Celebrating the Women of Black Brewing Co - International Women's Day 2021

Celebrated in March each year, International Women’s Day honours the achievements of women from all over the globe. 

In 2021 the IWD theme is #choosetochallenge and with the recent challenges that the world has faced, women are continuing to work hard to help recover from these recent events and build a bright, inclusive and equitable future.  

Black Brewing Co are marking this occasion and acknowledging the team of women at Black Brewing Co and celebrating their key roles in the business as well as in the craft beer industry within Australia.

Black Brewing Co team pouring beers

Making up a large portion of our team, the women of Black Brewing Co are involved in each step of producing and releasing their craft beers to the market as well as running the busy Margaret River venue. From the development stage to brewing, sales, accounting and marketing and right through to the ownership of the business, they are behind Black Brewing Co every step of the way. 

Black Brewing Co chooses to challenge the status quo within an industry that was once predominantly a male affair, by continuously supporting and encouraging the women in their team to strive in their roles. Many of these who have chosen, like a lot of women in Australia, to juggle motherhood with their careers.

Director, Kristin Kestell's career began in the 1990’s brewing for a West Australian brewery where she was one of only two women amongst a team of hundreds of male coworkers. Now the co-owner of Black Brewing Co, Kristin understands first hand the importance to support women in their chosen career paths.

Marketing Manager (and mother of two young children), Joanne Tate chatted with their newest Assistant Brewer Magdalena Bustos Hevia, Black Brewing Co General Manager (and mother) Renee Potter and Director, Kristin Kestel to hear what IWD means to them.

Renee Potter, Black Brewing Co General Manager said "I think it is important to acknowledge that as women we can achieve so much and show future generations that it is okay to strive in any role that we want to do.” 

 Black Brewing Co team

Magda Bustos Hevia | Black Brewing Co Assistant Brewer

  • Why do you think it’s important that we have a day that celebrates women? 

It’s important to celebrate women and the energy and different perspectives we can bring  to a business. It is also a time to  acknowledge previous generations that have made it possible for women today to be in a professional capacity in any industry.

  • How did you get into brewing? 

I loved the creativity behind brewing and being able to create something different. A took the opportunity to complete a brewing course while at Uni and from there I went onto home brewing in Chile.  When I arrived into Australia I started working at Black Brewing in the Restaurant and from there I was given the opportunity to take on the assistant brewing role to learn more about commercial brewing.

  • What is your role at Black Brewing Co?
Assistant Brewer
  • What do you love about craft beer?

 It is a big world in Craft Brewing and you can play with so many different factors to create the different styles.  I really like to experiment with different hops, yeast, malt etc to make something unique.

Renee Potter | Black Brewing Co General Manager

  • Why do you think it’s important that we have a day that celebrates women? 

Having been in a management/professional role over the last 20 years, as a woman I found it hard to be taken seriously and my dad had to constantly push me to keep going a lot of the time.  

However, over the last 5-10years it has been amazing to see how differently women are now treated with support and encouragement and I think that should be celebrated not only from a women’s perspective but for the men who have realised that times have changed and support that.  I think it is really important to acknowledge that as women we can achieve so much and show future generations that it is okay to strive in any role that we want to do.

  • How did you get into the Craft Beer Industry? 

After being in the wine industry for 20 years I felt that it was time for a change however, I still loved the end product of different varieties and flavours that can be produced in wine so I really wanted to go into another industry that would create this, thus the Craft Beer Industry.  When I started in the Craft Beer industry I had no idea as to the amount of variety(s) that there are and I am looking forward to experiencing all that the  industry has to offer.  I feel like a kid in a lollie shop.

  •  What do you love about craft beer? 

I really enjoy that people are willing to think outside the box and try new things. You can be wowed by a Lager or Pale Ale and then go totally left field with creating a beer that compliments ice cream! I  love the fact that people are willing to create something different.

  • As an industry how can we encourage more women to get involved in craft beer?

I think it is like any industry, we really have to be supportive of women and encourage and nurture younger women to show them that there is opportunity to achieve what we set our minds to.  If you look at Black Brewing we actually have more women than men working for us and each of those women bring something unique to Black Brewing and this is because we look at their strengths and support those to help them grow.

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It is exciting to see the craft beer industry continue to grow within Australia and with that the roles that women play in building that growth.  Organisations like the Pink Boots Society, aim to empower women in the beer industry and play a key part in helping women secure their dream job.

Black Brewing Co are proud to be supporting International Women's Day 2021 and are looking forward to hosting the Zonta Club of Dunsborough, International Women’s Day breakfast this Sunday, 7th March. 

Black Brewing Co will also be releasing their latest seasonal beer, Autumn Gose this March which will be Madga’s first new brew release since commencing her role as Assistant Brewer.

Black Brewing Co makes some of Australia’s most uncompromising craft beers from its home in Wilyabrup, Margaret River. Its beers tell a refreshing tale of time and place, inspired by the Margaret River region, the Indian Ocean and Western Australia’s incredible produce and people.

Photo: [L-R] Renee Potter, Stephanie Broc, Taylor Kemp, Magdalena Bustos Hevia and Alice Mulder. 
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