The Benefits Of A Pink Boots Booster

In 2007, one of the pioneers of craft beer in the US took a road trip across America. While travelling, Teri Fahrendorf brewer spent her time brewing and, as she met more women in her field, she noticed something: a lot of those brewers had never met another woman who worked in beer. Instead, they'd spent their careers surrounded by men.

As Teri continued exploring the country, she took down the names of those she met along the way and called the list "The Pink Boots Society". The rest, as they say, is history; those women came together and decided to launch an organisation for women beer professionals which now has chapters across the world. Today, the not-for-profit assists, inspires and encourages women and non-binary individuals who work with fermented beverages.

It was five years after the start of Teri's journey that the Australian chapter was formed, and you can read more about that here. The local wing's events, brew days, support networks, and scholarships have become a key part of Australia's modern beer landscape.

A key part of that mission in Australia is the Pink Boots Society Australia Leadership Scholarship: a partnership between the not-for-profit Australian Institute of Management (AIM) and Gage Roads. The WA brewers support the scholarships through sales of their International Women’s Day beer, which has funded five spaces this year on the backs of Shred Betty Juicy IPA – and to think people questioned hazies when they first came out...

Pink Boots members gathered at Voyager Malt.

Each scholarship is valued at $2,000, covering a breadth of a wide range of courses, including programs such as New Managers, People Leadership and Women in Leadership. Lisa Ethe, who was one of last year's recipients, stresses that whatever role you have in the industry, there's a course that will suit you.

"There's something that can apply to any and every situation in your life," she told The Crafty Pint.

"Pink Boots has given us such an incredible chance to grow, and I’d encourage everyone to apply – even if you might be unsure how you can apply it to your role or don’t feel like you deserve it, which you definitely do. You never know what could happen, and the experience alone is invaluable."

Ahead of applications closing on Monday, November 25, we chatted with Lisa and two of the other 2023 grant recipients about their involvement in the alcohol industry, why the applied for the leadership scholarships, and what they took away from it.

The recipients:

Lisa Ethe: Lisa runs marketing and events at Melbourne brewpub Tallboy & Moose. Lisa joined Pink Boots when she took the job at Tallboy has taken on the role of one of Victoria's Pink Boots State Coordinators.
Ayla Young: Ayla works in business operations with the Voyager Craft Malt in a diverse role that includes everything from daily operations and logistics to admin and customer support. She joined Pink Boots in 2020 and has been a NSW State Coordinator for the past year.
Jessika Hernandez: Jessika is the beverages team leader at Australia's oldest continuously operating brewery, Cascade. She heads up cider production, apple cider vinegar and fruit processing, and has been involved in Pink Boots for a couple of years.

How did you get involved in beer?

Lisa: Coming from a small rural town in Eastern Germany, I'll admit I wasn't always the biggest craft beer fan. I remember visiting Melbourne in 2014 – or thereabouts – and finding myself in a bar with a huge array of IPAs on tap, thinking: "Geez, I just want a lager. Nothing fancy."

Then I moved to Canada and started truly appreciating craft beer. In a way, it became part of sightseeing; I made it a point to stop at breweries and it was more than just about the beer, it was a way to connect with the town and its community. That, I believe, is what I love most about Aussie beer too. Each brewery has its own identity: a face, a place, a feeling.

There are amazing taprooms all over the country and they all come with their very own story. Touring my new home, one brewery at a time, is the best way to explore the country. I was working at Together Co-Living, just up the road from Tallboy & Moose and visited their brewpub a few times. I joined their Good Beer Week event, bought takeaways, and just always really enjoyed their beers and the vibe in the venue.

When I saw the marketing role open up, I applied straight away.

Ayla: I took an opportunity back in early 2020 to join the Voyager team as a part-time team member while working for a neighbouring company in a cotton export role. Starting out in an admin role, and having very little knowledge of the craft beer industry, I could see the potential for growth, education, and opportunity so moved to a full-time role within six months of starting.

Jessika: My background is in chemical science and research. About three years ago, a laboratory technologist position in brewing opened up, giving me the opportunity to enter the brewery and work with the quality team.

Pink Boots members with Jessika at Cascade.

Why did you join Pink Boots?

Lisa: Because it’s an incredible community of women in the beer industry who support, inspire, and empower each other. The opportunities for education, networking, and collaboration are unmatched, and it’s a space where you can grow both personally and professionally. Being part of Pink Boots opens doors to scholarships, mentorship, and meaningful connections that help you thrive in the industry.

It’s about building each other up and making a lasting impact together. And, last but not least, the events where we come together also give us the opportunity to vent and discuss issues with people in similar situations.

Ayla: It was a way to become more familiarised with those who work in the beer industry and to support an organisation that promotes education and networking opportunities to its members. Having spent most of my time since school in roles based in the agricultural sector, I understand how important it is to have organisations such as Pink Boots advocating for women and non-binary individuals in traditionally male-dominated industries.

Jessika: For the networking and social aspects. Since being introduced by one of the members, I felt very connected and eager to be part of a group of wonderful women and non-binary members who support each other in the fermented and allied industries. I think it’s really valuable to have support and shared experiences, especially in a male-dominated industry.

What's involved in being a Pink Boots member?

Lisa: Anything and everything really. Brew days are a highlight every year and I attempt to get to every networking event as well. In my first year as a member, I applied for and received a book pack, which is a range of books curated by one of the more experienced Pink Boots members. Another great initiative.

Ayla: Being from regional NSW, it’s not always practical to be involved in everything that the Pink Boots team have on offer. But I have made some time to get to a couple of the brew days held earlier in the year and applied for the scholarships that have been on offer. There are also some webinars in the pipeline that I’ll sure to be tuning into too.

I also hosted the Pink Boots board members and state coordinators at Voyager to hold this year’s AGM and tour our local area and farms. Having everyone come together to share ideas and plan what’s next for Pink Boots in Australia was a valuable experience.

Jessika: This year, I attended the brew day, which was fantastic. I also organised a tour with the Tasmania members at Cascade and hosted a very wholesome forum.

Lisa hosting one of many of Tallboy & Moose's market stalls.

What have your experiences in beer been like?

Lisa: Incredibly rewarding – I’ve met so many amazing, passionate people who truly love what they do. It’s an industry built on creativity, collaboration, and a shared love for the craft.

That said, it’s also important to find balance, as many events and networking opportunities involve drinking. I’m constantly "trying" to prioritise things like sports, walking my dog and taking breaks.

Ayla: I’ve really enjoyed my time in the beer industry to date and love that I’m able to blend my love for agriculture and our local farming communities with malting, brewing and beer. I also work with a great team who are flexible and supportive, and everyone I’ve met has a common passion for the craft of brewing and distilling.

Jessika: I’ve learned a lot in just three years. As I mentioned, my background in science brought me to the brewery industry, but I’ve been fortunate to have a great team supporting me throughout my journey and transition between roles. Now, I’m eager to stay in the industry long-term and continue learning.

Is there any advice you’d give to someone just starting in the beer industry or looking to join Pink Boots?

Lisa: Stay curious, keep learning, and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. The beer industry thrives on passion and collaboration, so take every opportunity to connect with others and grow your skills. If you’re thinking about joining Pink Boots Society, go for it! It’s a welcoming community where you’ll find support, inspiration, and resources to help you succeed. Even if you feel like you’re just starting out or don’t know enough yet, you belong: this is exactly the kind of space where you can learn and thrive.

Ayla: Always seek out and take on the opportunities that come your way. In my experience, it’s been about giving everything a go and if it doesn’t work out then you can head in another direction.

Pink Boots is a great place for taking on opportunities, whether that be meeting people within the industry for some career advice, or applying for scholarships, it will all be of benefit to your own self-development and career path.

Jessika: I would advise joining the Pink Boots Society. It has been invaluable to receive support, listen to other women in the industry, and realise that, despite different backgrounds, locations, and roles, we all sometimes struggle with similar issues. Knowing you’re not alone is powerful. The industry truly needs more women.

Why did you apply for the course?

Lisa: I applied because I believe – like in so many aspects of life – you get out what you put in, and opportunities like this are worth grabbing, even if you’re not sure you’ll succeed.

Ayla: I applied for the leadership scholarship as there was no reason to not give the application process a go. Having these types of scholarships on offer and donated by those in the beer industry is something we are really lucky to have access to and a chance I didn’t want to pass up.

Jessika: The leadership scholarship came at the perfect time in my life. In September 2023, I took on a new role as team leader. With no prior experience leading teams and the challenge of supervising eight male operators with 30 years of experience, I didn’t hesitate to apply for the New Leaders course.

What did the study involve?

Lisa: I actually had the chance to do two courses, as they were both shorter and fit within the budget. The first was Strategy on a Page and the second was Creative and Critical Thinking. Both were full-day sessions held in Melbourne CBD and were really engaging. We worked through detailed workbooks, did group exercises, and had plenty of opportunities to network with others in the class.

Ayla: The course was held with the Australian Institute of Management (AIM) and really well facilitated. The hardest part was picking which course you’d like to do as they have so many options available, delivered both virtually and in class. I chose two one-day courses, with one held on campus in Canberra and another online. Both courses were well organised and offered in-depth training and knowledge from the class facilitator.

Jessika: The course, called New Leader, focused on providing essential tools to handle situations faced daily as a leader.

Ayla chatting to members at a recent tour of Voyager.

Were there any key takeaways relevant to your job?

Lisa: The courses gave me practical tools that have been really helpful in my role as marketing & events manager. Strategy on a Page taught me how to turn big ideas into clear, actionable steps, which has made planning campaigns and events much easier. Creative and Critical Thinking helped me look at challenges in new ways, so I can solve problems more effectively.

Both courses have made me better at organising and running projects while also giving me more confidence in my decisions.

Ayla: The courses I chose were based on developing leadership qualities within a team, and how to apply creative and critical thinking to problems that might arise in the workplace. Both courses offered new skills and ideas for how to approach both positive and negative situations that might be faced in the workplace.

I also found that some of the course content also allowed for reflection on past experiences that I’ve faced in the workplace and how I could have better managed those.

Jessika: Yes, plenty. The tutor was fantastic and engaged really well with the class. The course was conducted online over two full days and included many useful tools that I’ve been able to implement in my job. For example, we learned how to reinforce positive behaviors, provide constructive feedback, and use DISC profiles to understand our leadership styles.

It was amazing, and I highly recommend it.

What's something you wish you could change about the beer world?

Lisa: The still lingering misconception that craft beer is too niche or inaccessible. Craft beer is incredibly diverse and offers something for everyone, but we sometimes struggle to break through those old stereotypes. I’d like to see more creative ways to bridge the gap, whether that’s through education, collaborations, or unique events, so more people can discover how fun and approachable craft beer really is.

Ayla: It’s not really something I’d change, but it would be great to see business leaders continuing to encourage and offer supportive networks within the industry. For me, this stems across multiple industries that have a lower representation of females, and it’s been the support and encouragement from industry leaders that have pushed me to succeed.

If we can aim to be positive role models to those up-and-coming, then the beer industry has a bright future!

Jessika: I wouldn’t change much, but I do wish there were more women in the industry. I think history has given us a sense of unity and encouraged us to support each other, which I hope inspires more women to pursue careers in this field.

If you're a Pink Boots member who'd like to apply for the Leadership Scholarship, then you have until Monday, November 25 to do so here. If you're not a member but would like to join, then reach out to the team.

About Will

Will Ziebell is a history graduate who knows more about The Wire than he does about beer. He was awarded the AIBA Best Media trophy for 2018; HBO have told him to please send his fan mail elsewhere. He can be found on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.