Brett Keating
March 8, 2022
Today, to celebrate International Women’s Day, the LA chapter of Pink Boots Society is hosting a brew day to raise money for women in beer, using a special hop blend of Yakima Chief hops.
The nonprofit organization, founded in 2007, raises money for events, scholarships, and education for women and non-binary folks working in the beer industry. The LA chapter is led by Frogtown Brewery‘s Mallory Jackson and Sage Bistro‘s Kimberly Rice, with Highland Park Brewery’s Blanca Quintero serving as Vice President of Pink Boots nationally.
Twenty-three Southern California breweries are involved in this year’s event; local participants include Highland Park, 14 Cannons, Eagle Rock Brewery, Frogtown, Trademark, and more. But that number is likely to grow. Though the collaboration day is happening on March 8th, any breweries interested in participating can buy the Pink Boots blend and make their beer. By registering and brewing the blend, breweries are pledging a portion of their sales to the Pink Boots Society.
For the fifth straight year, hop purveyor Yakima Chief Hops has developed a unique Pink Boots blend, which is made up of Idaho Gem, HBC 630, Talus, Triumph, and Loral hops. One of those hops – Idaho Gem – was developed by Gooding Farms, an Idaho-based hop farm led by women. Yakima Chief will donate $3 from every pound sold to the Pink Boots scholarship fund – last year’s blend raised more than $120,000.
Though every participating brewery is using the same blend, the results will likely be far from identical, and could result in anything from lagers and pale ales, to IPAs and even seltzers.
Pink Boots has grown steadily in influence since its founding, with breweries from 46 states registered to participate in this year’s event. And this year, for the first time, the U.S. Open Beer Championship will include a category for beers brewed with the Pink Boots blend.
For more information on Pink Boots Society, including membership information and scholarship opportunities, check out their website.
