IWCBD raises £27k for women’s causes and boosts beer education

The International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day (IWCBD) campaign has raised £26,921 for 44 women’s causes around the world.

The event, which was first launched in 2014 by Burnt Mill Brewery’s head brewer Sophie de Ronde, the global brewing celebration ran for 10 years before taking a break in 2024. Later that year, Women On Tap CIC — the social enterprise championing gender equality in the male-dominated beer industry — announced it would be picking up the reins. With backing from headline sponsor Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA) and support from Simpsons Malt, the campaign not only returned, but evolved.

For the first time, every IWCBD brew day committed to donating at least £100 to a women’s cause of their choice — a move formalised by Women On Tap to ensure lasting impact. Meanwhile, education partner Wines and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) stepped up, offering 18 fully funded Level 1 Beer Award places, with an extra four funded by 71 Brewing, meaning 22 women could gain a globally recognised qualification in beer.

Speaking to the drinks business about the progress the campaign has made, Rachel Auty, founder of Women On Tap CIC admitted that “it has been a humbling experience, as the new custodian of the IWCBD campaign, I’ve been blown away by the passion, energy, and innovation this initiative inspires. I believe it’s beer at its best”.

Feedback from breweries underlines just how vital IWCBD had become and the team at the Sussex-based Hand Brew Co described how “IWCBD is building a powerful network that empowers women and non-binary people to take up space, educate, and create new opportunities” and noted how “a more balanced beer industry is a better beer industry.”

Similarly, the team at Knaresborough-based Turning Point Brew Co reiterated how “it’s essential for women in beer to have spaces where they are truly supported” and the people behind craft beer enterprise Tap Social Movement pointed out how much “this initiative puts vital conversations about diversity centre stage, and shows that beer really is for everyone”.

Last year, breweries have been invited by Women On Tap to offer views that could assist in supporting the future of gender equality in beer. The company then moved things forwards further and asked breweries that are already keen to support – or are curious about – gender equality in beer to be part of a “feedback panel” to help find “effective solutions” and “best positive outcomes for everyone”.

Women On Tap had also appointed an advisory board made up of women who can make a significant difference to the beer sector.

Equality in beer has been in the spotlight, but despite inclusivity talks and events being open to all, attendance is still primarily from women. db reported on the concerns and queried if gender equality in beer was moving forwards if men were not listening. However, the strides Women on Tap has made since then has shown that the efforts are not falling on deaf ears.

Neil Walker, head of comms at SIBA, headline sponsor of IWCBD 2025, explained how “representation matters” and highlighted how much “the independent beer community thrives on innovation and passion – and the more diverse the industry becomes, the stronger and more resilient it will be”.

Plans for 2026 are already beginning, with Auty confirming that the celebration will be expanding international reach, launching the first-ever Unite Awards to recognise stand-out efforts, and even exploring an IWCBD beer festival. Sign-ups are scheduled to open earlier than usual in October 2025 – and sponsors are now being sought to help make next year even bigger.

Hinting at what would come next, Auty told db that “looking forward, my hope is that we can continue to stride out loud and proud, boost representation, and connect more deeply and authentically with more people at the heart of an industry we all love to drive real change and build resilience together”.

As Auty has noted: “The numbers speak for themselves” and pointed out that the IWCBD has spanned 61 brew days across multiple countries, looped in 74 breweries and 837 participants to be involved, been the catalyst to 66 brand-new beers being brewed and has witnessed £26,921 donated to support 44 women’s causes and led to 22 women being awarded fully funded WSET beer qualifications.

She added: “2025 has been astounding, and everyone involved is just incredible. Look at all that money raised for great causes, and look at how happy the brew days, beers, and events have made people. The result is a wonderful, feel-good side of beer.”

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