KENT, Ohio — Some Northeast Ohio business owners are brewing change in a traditionally male-dominated industry. A Brewers Association survey found more than two-thirds of U.S. breweries are solely owned by men.
Hermann entered the craft brewing industry after years of brewing her own beer at home. She noted the move didn’t feel trailblazing, but more like a natural step. “I like that there are materials that show evidence of people before us,” Tipton said of the converted space. An entire page on the brewery’s website details the business’s commitment to creating a safe and inclusive space, free from discrimination and harassment. The proclamation stands out in an industry that’s been criticized by some for a culture of misogyny and sexual harassment.
Money from the purchase of the hops to create the beer, as well as a donation from the business, will go to the Pink Boots Society. The organization encourages and supports women and non-binary individuals in the fermented/alcoholic beverage industry.