In the 6th year we introduce “Unite Forage”

It has been incredible to watch the response, excitement, and growth of the event over the last few years and the increase of women in the industry is noticeable.

The IWCBD Team are committed to keeping the event going autonomously with enthusiasm and energy. This means that each participant is in full control of their events with the option to donate to a charity of choice.

This year we are introducing the theme of ‘foraging’. Each year it’s been great to see the experimental aspect of the beers produced and we hope this will be a welcomed challenge. Whether you want to capture yeast/bacteria for a wild brew or collect some local fruits, herbs or spices. The forage is up to you to make this years ‘Unite Forage’ an unforgettable brew.

Annual Event Celebrates 5^thAnniversary with “Unite Exotic”

It seems like it was only a couple of years ago that the ideas were flying across the globe to create a world renowned collaborative brew day to unite women brewers. Here we are now, five years later and as excited as ever.

Welcome to the 5th anniversary of International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day and our 5th Unite Brew: ‘Unite Exotic’.

The inspiration for Unite Exotic was born this summer along the Equator. IWCBD Founder Sophie de Ronde was fortunate enough to experience a South American Adventure with her partner and, whilst supping on a luscious fruity cocktail, came up with an Exotic thought. IWCBD Director Denise Ratfield quickly jumped at the idea for the 2018 theme and, together with graphic artist Monarose Ryan, once again collaborated to design the new artwork.

After seeing a wonderful indulgence to locality, with 2017’s Unite Local, we are asking you to search far and wide for those exotic ingredients. Fruits, cereals, yeasts, flowers, herbs and spices (and anything else you can think of!) are all welcome to provide that exotic twist to your wonderful brews.

After a fabulous year of brewers expressing themselves in 2016 with “Unite Expression”, this year will see brewers support locally sourced ingredients to create “Unite Local”.

For this beer, you don’t have to use everything 100% local, we understand that this could be very difficult for some. However, we would like you to find at least one true local ingredient to use in this year’s recipe. Once again, call upon your friends and local brewing community and even local farmers to gain the knowledge of your local ingredient(s) and how best to use them.

The idea for the first brew was to be able to simply unite all the brewers together to see how the concept worked.

A simple recipe was put together using ingredients that all brewers would be able to get their hands on. A low ABV pale ale made with cascade hops was the criteria. Parameters for colour, bittering and abv were set with the idea of comparisons of the same recipe across the globe. The differences between the brews were astounding and really did highlight the characteristic of each brewery and showed how no recipe can be truly duplicated. ‘Unite Pale’ was thus born and the idea for future events grew.

Seeing the desire of brewers wanting to try different styles, 2016 introduced a different angle of uniting—’Expression’.

Unite Expression’s parameters made sure that brewers had to use an ingredient that they had never used before or to brew a style that they have never made before. The idea behind this particular day was to encourage brewers to talk to other brewers so they could learn and develop their own skills; or to collaborate with other local industries and use their knowledge of specialist ingredients. The event, again, was a resounding success and continues to grow momentum.