ESCONDIDO, Calif. (KGTV) - San Diego is earning another reputation in the craft beer business with the increase in female brewers.
Dozens of women are heading to America's Finest City this weekend for the Pink Boots Society conference and festival, a gathering that goes with the nonprofit group's mission to assist, inspire and encourage women beer industry professionals to advance their careers through education.
"I work with a lot of really cool guys, but sometimes you just need that other connection from another female …," said Laura Ulrich, a small batch brewer for Stone Brewing and president of the Pink Boots Society.
Ulrich said when she first started brewing a decade ago, she didn't know other female brewers existed. Now, the nonprofit is connecting women around the world, with 1,200 paying members.
"Women like to work in families, work in tribes. I think this is exactly what Pink Boots is about," said Ulrich.
When Pink Boots became a nonprofit in 2013, the group started giving scholarships to female brewers. Now, they're up to 12 a year, including an opportunity in Germany. Pink Boots says they're providing unique opportunities that are exclusive to women in the industry.
"We know the one thing women need to help get to the next level is education, and we're trying to help," Ulrich said.
While only women are invited to the conference, everyone is welcome to attend Saturday's festival at Ingram Plaza (2751 Dewey Road, in Liberty Station). All proceeds will go towards the scholarship program.
Saturday June 3, 2017
12 p.m.-4 p.m. (Last pour 3:30 p.m.)
Tickets: $45/$15 DD/$60 Day of Sales
-- Unlimited 2oz pours by Pink Boots Society Members Breweries
-- Access to phenomenal San Diego Food Trucks
-- 10th Anniversary souvenir glass
-- Four solid hours to get to know Pink Boots Society, its members and their breweries
-- Support a cause where 100% of the proceeds go toward scholarships for women beer industry professionals
