The Scotland-based Women in Beer group has welcomed the first 12 individuals into its inaugural Mentorship Programme.
More than 45 applications for the programme were received from across the UK. “It’s been both exciting and a bit overwhelming to see so many candidates applying to the programme,” said Women in Beer founder Amelie Tassin.
“I think it’s incredibly important for women to be able to learn and take inspiration from other women in the industry. It’s been a real joy to see this project coming to fruition.”
Through the coming year, the 12 women will benefit from dedicated mentoring time, as well as free access to a series of webinars and events. Those events will be provided by the WiB Mentorship gold sponsors to give the 12 the opportunity to learn more about the industry and make precious contacts. Online events and webinars will also be open to the Women in Beer Community.
The 12 women, who have been paired up with a mentor, are:
- Holly Lewis (brewer at the Hanging Bat Brew Co and Barney’s Beer)
- Elizabeth Townsend (co-founder at Kerroo Brewing Company)
- Lucy Simons (co-owner of The Abdication micropub and co-founder of Let’s Beer)
- Eddie Doyle (brewer at Full Circle Brew Co)
- Jessy Dendle (marketing and engagement assistant at Cloudwater Brew Co)
- Rosie Roberts (marketing and sales freelancer)
- Megan Swinn (area sales manager at Mondo Brewing Company)
- Noora Koskinen-Dini (brewer/taproom manager at Six Hills Brewing)
- Lucy Stevens (head brewer and co-founder at Closet Brewing)
- Rachael Bull (brewery and taproom operation manager at Phantom Brewing Co)
- Lindsey Cruden (co-founder at Gan Yam Brew Co)
- Sian Thomas (brewer at Mad Dog Brewery Co)
The programme is being sponsored by Lallemand Brewing. A second session of the programme, with 12 additional spots, is aiming to open in March.
The Mentorship scheme has secured enough funding to cover the costs for the first six months of the programme. However, it has still a long way to go to reach the whole year’s mark.
If you’d like to become a sponsor of the programme, you can contact the organisers at hello@womeninbeer.co.uk or become a Patreon from as little as £4.50 per month.
An assessment of the first Mentorship Programme will be presented at the next Women in Beer Festival in October 2024.
