Subverting the stereotype of beer brewing being a male-dominated industry, SAB is proud to present a female beer aficionado making waves in the industry.
Women’s Month
Every August since 1994, South Africa celebrates Women’s Month to commemorate the day in 1956 when more than 20 000 brave women marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest the draconian pass laws implemented by the apartheid government at the time. Our country has come a long way since then, but we still have far to go for a just and equal South Africa for all.
Changing the perception of women and beer
SAB believes Women’s Month provides perfect opportunity for the country to reflect on how far we have come in changing the perception of women and beer, especially as Friday 2 August is also World Beer Day. Since prehistoric times, the important responsibility of brewing beer was almost always undertaken by women in a community, but since the industrial revolution in the 18th Century it has become more of a male dominated industry. Now is the time for women take their power back and reassume their rightful place as society’s leading brewmasters.
One woman on the frontline of this revolution is Mandy Ryan, 29-year-old Brewing Production team leader for the Bathlothli Brewing Team at SAB’s Rosslyn Brewery in Pretoria. With a microbiological background, Mandy started her journey in 2015 as a senior laboratory technician in the Micro laboratory where she first became fascinated with the craft and art behind brewing the perfect beer. After completing a two-year brewing traineeship at SAB’s Alrode Brewery, Ryan qualified as an International Brewer from the Institute of Brewing and Distilling and obtained validation as a key taster on the Africa Zone Tasting Panel.
‘There is really never a dull moment when you work with beer,’ says Ryan. ‘I’ve found that it is called the “art” of brewing for a good reason – just when you think you have it all figured out; you are once again surprised by the complexity of the science behind the process. I really enjoy working with my team, tackling issues and having a few laughs at the same time. And although we keep each other on our toes, it is all worth it when it does come together perfectly for that 8.5 scoring beer.
‘It is encouraging to see more and more women starting to thrive in what has become a male-dominated industry. Throughout history in different cultures around the world, brewing beer was the women’s responsibility and it is safe to say that beer has always benefited from the women’s touch. I’ll definitely be raising a glass of Castle Lager this Women’s Day to cheers all my fellow women working with beer.’
