Women came together to brew a special beer at Salford’s Strange Times Brewing which will be pouring at a celebratory event at Port Street Beer House on International Women’s Day – 8 March (IWD).

Manchester Crafty Beer Girls (MCBG) (pictured), women from across the city’s hospitality sector and others from further afield, joined hosts Strange Times to brew a hazy orange pale ale.

Participants were up early to take part in the mashing in at the start of the brew and learnt about the water, malts, hops and yeast that were to go into the beer.

MCBG is a social group for beer-loving and beer-curious women who have monthly meets in independent pubs, venues and taprooms across Greater Manchester.

It was founded in 2022 by Francesca (Chess) Slattery after she moved to the city. She is a beer sommelier and judge, certified cicerone who has worked in the brewing industry for over eight years.

Slattery says the aims of setting up the group are simple: “We just want to encourage other women to enjoy beer and offer a welcoming space for those who are curious but don’t have any pals who share this interest.

“Manchester has so many fantastic venues that champion great beer and we want to support that as much as we can,” said Slatery.

This was their first collaboration brewing, which was organised with Strange Times’ head brewer Lauren Guy and Sarah Hyde of Rambling Beer Co, as part of the annual IWD brew day Unite celebrations.

The beer has been named Boudica’s Chariot and is described as tasting refreshing and zesty with biscuity notes and juicy sweetness.

Claire Coster and Lorna-Jane Evans are keen home brewers with ambitions to open their own microbrewery one day. They read about the brew day in an online publication and travelled from Cumbria to join.

Coster said: “It was an amazing opportunity to network with new people and to get hands on in the brewing process on a larger scale than we’re used to with our home brewing.

“We are still buzzing from the experience and we were made to feel so welcome by all.

“Networking with like-minded women who are passionate about beer allowed us to share ideas, knowledge and experience, empowering us further to plan our own microbrewery journey within our local area. A massive thanks to all involved!”

The International Women’s Day beer showcase is on 8 March from 3pm, and a beer and pizza pairing takes place from 7pm. Tickets are available directly from Port Street Beer House or on Eventbrite

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/international-womens-day-beer-showcase-port-street-beer-house-tickets-540942402287?fbclid=IwAR1dXiKgDghf2Qm7sziwJjossXwE-JerkTt-holcwcePDGYWDrIR7jXfF_E