Today is International Women’s Day, a day to shine a light on all the amazing women in our lives, so it only seems fitting to introduce you to our assistant brewer, Grace.
Apart from being a literal ray of sunshine around the brewery each day, she has been an integral part of our growth journey since joining the Canyon team in September. Her background in wine making means her impeccable palette has been gracing (pun intended) your beers for the past 6 months, making them even more flavoursome than ever before. Come down to the brewery and you’ll hear her quick wit over the buzz of the tanks as she’s busy brewing or canning our latest batch, and come knock off time you’ll catch her cuddled up on the couch with an ice cold beer and our brewery dog, Utah.
We’re very proud to have such a strong female role model in our team, but it’s no secret that the brewing industry has faced a lot of criticism around inclusivity and diversity in recent years. We chatted to Grace about what it’s like to be one of the very few female brewers in the country, the shifts we’ve seen in the industry lately, and of course, all things beer.
Where are you from?
I grew up in the suburbs of Auckland.
Tell us a little bit about what you’re like outside of work…
Naturally I love the outdoors, as do most people who choose to live in this beautiful part of the world. The mountains are a welcome change from the ocean which I grew up around, and I love hiking/exploring them as much as possible, as well as any water based activity, or anything involving live music.
What did you study at university?
I did my Bachelors in Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Auckland, as I found pharmaceuticals fascinating and loved chemistry in high school, and originally wanted to go down that route. After realising the pharmaceutical industry was not for me, I went on to study a Postgraduate Diploma in Wine Science, which threw me into the beautiful world of fermentation. After getting my first brewing job, I obtained my General Certificate in Brewing from IBD.
What drew you to beer over wine?
After spending 4 years in the wine industry, I love the creative freedom that brewers’ have when designing a new beer. It has all the parts I love about the wine industry (the perfect blend of science and art), but instead of getting one shot a year, you can brew as often as you like. Although it can be challenging due to the many parameters you are in control of, it's also incredibly satisfying, and there is always something new to learn/taste/try! The New Zealand beer industry is at an interesting point in its evolution, where it’s essentially the Wild West, with so many breweries branching out into very experimental styles which is exciting to be amongst.
How long have you been brewing?
I have been in the beer industry for almost two years now.
How does it feel to be one of the very few women brewers in New Zealand?
As the wine industry is also quite male-dominated, I thought it would be more or less the same, but it turns out there are even fewer women in brewing. The other women that I have met have all been absolute legends, so it’s nice to form a small community and have people that can relate to your experiences. It makes me excited for the future of brewing, as I believe the gender balance will even out in years to come, as it is already starting to. I think it’s awesome to be part of it in this stage and to hopefully inspire more females to get into the industry.
Were there any barriers or stigmas you had to/are still overcoming being a woman in a very male dominated industry?
I think what it comes down to is recognising your worth, and finding a supportive work environment where you feel respected and valued, which I am lucky enough to have found at Canyon. It’s not always easy, but as I am passionate about what I do then I hope that my work can speak for itself. At the end of the day I’m always going to be a woman, and I won’t know what it’s like to not have the stigma that comes with it in this environment, so I may as well just try my best!
What would you like to see change about the industry?
Obviously inclusivity is a big one, as recently there was a huge shift in the US regarding sexual harassment/assault toward females in the beer industry, pioneered by Brienne Allen (@ratmagnet on Instagram, definitely go check out all the amazing work she’s done in giving females a platform to speak out). I think that the change is already well underway, so encouraging more women to join the industry is a massive step in the right direction.
What advice would you give to any woman looking to get into the brewing industry?
Just go for it! Brewers are often pretty laid-back and approachable people, so find a brewery you love and put your name forward. Luckily there are so many resources available, so becoming familiar with the process and what styles you’re interested in is a good place to start.
What’s your favourite beer?
That’s such a tough question, I feel like I have a favourite beer for every mood. A crispy lager for breakfast, a punchy hazy to finish off a big work day, and a gose in the sun.
What is an underrated beer style that deserves more attention?
I am getting really into wheat beers, such as Hefeweizen, as they have a really interesting texture. They can be hard to come by though, so I’m always on the hunt for new ones to try.
It’s a scorching Summer's day, what’s your go-to Canyon beer?
Can’t go past a sour on a hot day, either the Mango sour or The Perfect Pair if you want something a little lighter.