The statistics have been gathered from International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day (IWCBD), which returned earlier this year, and what a comeback it was.
Some 837 participants took part in 61 brew days, making 66 beers, and raising £26,921 for 44 women’s causes around the world.
Launched in 2014 by Sophie de Ronde, of Burnt Mill Brewery, the global brewing celebration ran for 10 years before taking a break in 2024.
Later that year, Women On Tap CIC — the social enterprise championing gender equality in the male-dominated beer industry — announced it would be picking up the reins. With backing from headline sponsor SIBA and support from Simpsons Malt, the campaign not only returned but evolved.
For the first time, every IWCBD brew day committed to donating at least £100 to a women’s cause of their choice — a move formalised by Women On Tap to ensure lasting impact. Meanwhile, education partner Wines and Spirits Education Trust stepped up, offering 18 fully-funded Level 1 Beer Award places, with an extra four funded by 71 Brewing, meaning 22 women will now have a globally recognised qualification in beer.
“This campaign is about more than brewing great beer as a community — it’s about showing that a better, more connected and diverse beer industry is possible,” said Rachel Auty, founder of the Women on Tap CIC.
“Seeing women and non-binary people come together globally, taking up space, creating new opportunities, and driving real impact has been inspiring. And we’re just getting started.”
Neil Walker, head of communications at SIBA, said: “SIBA was proud to sponsor this year’s IWCBD because representation matters. The independent beer community thrives on innovation and passion, and the more diverse the industry becomes, the stronger and more resilient it will be.”
Typical of the responses to this year’s programme was that of Hand Brew Co: “IWCBD is building a powerful network that empowers women and non-binary people to take up space, educate, and create new opportunities. A more balanced beer industry is a better beer industry.”
Plans for 2026 are already brewing, expanding international reach, launching the first-ever UNITE Awards to recognise stand-out efforts, and even exploring an IWCBD beer festival. Sign-ups are scheduled to open earlier than usual in October, and sponsors are now being sought to help make next year even bigger.
