When Sherri Dill was working behind the bar at Capital Brewing Co, people would often tell her they didn't want "a girly beer" when asking for recommendations.
"It used to really frustrate me," says Dill, who is now a brewer. "Like, what is a girly beer? I have no idea."
To celebrate International Women's Day, Capital has collaborated with the National Gallery of Australia to produce a beer called Know My Brew, inspired by the gallery's latest initiative Know My Name.
The NGA has acknowledged that only 25 per cent of its Australian art collection is by women artists. Its response, titled Know My Name, is a celebration, a commitment and a call to action that celebrates the work of all women artists with the aim of enhancing understanding of their contribution to Australia's cultural life.
"The worlds of art and brewing have always had a lot in common," says Dill, who will lead the brew team alongside Annie Da Silva and Lauren Ghirardello.
"Brewing is considered both an art and a science and regrettably, gender inequality is prevalent in both sectors."
A 2019 Brewer's Association report found that only 7.5 per cent of brewers were female and, while Dill says Capital has always been very supportive of her career, the industry overall still has a long way to go.
"There aren't as many role models for women in the industry," she says, "particularly here in Australia".
"A team is always going to work better when there are different perspectives and women play a vital part in that."
She says the Pink Boots Society, an international association which aims to assist, inspire, and encourage professional women brewers, has been a great resource for her.
The Know My Brew will use a proprietary hop blend from the society.
More than 400 breweries globally will use the hops to create a beer as part of the Pink Boots 2021 Collaboration Brew Day.
"I was really grappling with a few ideas when I was writing the recipe," Dill says.
"I didn't know if I wanted to do something really unapologetic and weird and fun and wild or if I wanted it to be really accessible so I tried to do something in between that.
"I've gone for a Milkshake IPA, or an oat cream IPA, it's got rolled oats and lactose sugar, it's quite a sweet beer but I wanted it to be balanced and a bit tart so it's going to be a fruity beer.
"I love that lactose mouth feel, I've made a beer I would really enjoy and I hope lots of people will too."
Capital has collaborated with the gallery on several projects over the years to great success.
"It's fantastic to see our official beverage partner share our commitment to gender equity," said Samantha Jones, the gallery's head of partnership.
The beer will be released in late March pouring at Capital's Fyshwick Tap Room, special events at the National Gallery of Australia, and other venues around Canberra and the region.
Proceeds from the sale of beer will be used to support women in the brewing industry.
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