Cheers to Change: Celebrate Women in Craft Brewing at the FemAle Brew Fest!

Get ready to raise your glasses and toast to an incredible celebration of women in craft brewing! This weekend, Broward County will transform into a hub of creativity and camaraderie as the annual FemAle Brew Fest returns to Fort Lauderdale. Taking place at Las Olas Oceanside Park on Saturday, this festival is not just about beer; it’s about empowerment, community, and innovation.

A New Era of Brewing

Frances Antonio-Martineau, one of the festival's founders, shares the exciting growth of the event: “We are celebrating eight years this year in our brand new location on Fort Lauderdale Beach.” What started with just 15 breweries in 2017 has exploded into a vibrant gathering featuring over 40 breweries and counting. This remarkable increase highlights a significant trend: women are stepping into the brewing industry in greater numbers, yet the journey to truly break the beer glass ceiling continues.

Why Representation Matters

The FemAle Brew Fest aims to not only showcase the talents of women brewers but also to inspire others to join the industry. Antonio-Martineau emphasizes the importance of representation: “It helps with showing women out there that they’re not alone if they decide to jump into the industry.” This festival is a beacon of hope and encouragement for aspiring female brewers.

A Diverse Array of Offerings

This year, the festival promises to be larger than ever, with an expanded selection of vendors. In addition to the usual craft beers, attendees can look forward to:

• Cider
• Kombucha
• Wine vendors

And if that’s not enough to whet your appetite, the festival will unveil its very own brew: a refreshing Pilsner lager named Fangs of Time. Antonio-Martineau notes, “Palates change, everybody evolves, which is why I try to evolve the festival as well.” This year, educational workshops are also being introduced, adding a new layer of engagement for attendees.

Food, Fun, and Festivities

Returning for its second year is the popular Beer and Bites pairing, where festival-goers can indulge in delicious food while discovering which pairings elevate their tasting experience. Each ticket promises unlimited samplings from all participating vendors, ensuring a day filled with delightful flavors.

To enhance the festive atmosphere, food trucks will be on-site, serving up a variety of tasty treats. As Antonio-Martineau puts it, “I tell everybody it’s different than any craft beer festival that at least I’ve been to. The camaraderie and the atmosphere that occurs during the fest is just indescribable.”

Join the Celebration!

Women will take center stage at the FemAle Brew Fest this Saturday, September 14. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this empowering event and support the talented women who are making waves in the craft beer industry. To ensure your spot, click here to purchase tickets!

What do you think?

• Do you believe events like the FemAle Brew Fest are essential for promoting gender equality in the brewing industry?
• What are your thoughts on the current representation of women in craft brewing?
• Should more festivals focus on showcasing underrepresented groups in the food and beverage industry?
• How can breweries further support women in brewing beyond events like this?
• What unique contributions do you think women bring to the brewing scene?