Research would clear up confusion
I’d like to draw readers’ attention to the ‘misunderstanding’ that happened at Penistone Tap and Brewhouse on October 25.
We are writing in response to a letter published in Barnsley Chronicle in the issue dated October 28 2022.
The letter, titled ‘A ridiculous case of discrimination’ and written by Adrian Moss, was brought to our attention by one of our regular customers at the weekend.
At the time the letter writer visited the venue, a local, independent women’s beer group called Queens of Kraft were meeting. Members pay a subscription to attend the monthly meetings and we offer the venue free of charge.
There are various other community groups that also use the venue monthly, such as Penistone Home Brew Club.
Had the author researched before deciding to visit on a Tuesday, he would have found it was closed on Mondays and Tuesdays as is clearly stated online.
That evening the front lights were switched off and the door was clearly locked, as identified by the author and indicated by a member having to knock to be let into the women-only group.
I think it should also be mentioned that the actual bar was not open that particular evening as the meeting was a bottle share.
This is not a case of ‘discrimination’, this is an example of providing equality of opportunity for women to enter a predominantly male-dominated world of craft beer.
In this day and age, it should be applauded that there has been a huge growth in women’s beer groups globally, and that women feel comfortable where once they may not have.
For someone who champions women’s rights, you would think they would understand that no means no when trying to gain entry to a closed bar, without having to repeat it three times.
We feel that this is important due to the potentially damaging nature of the original letter to our small business.
I wonder if a letter would have been written if the author had visited two weeks later when Penistone Home
Brew Club were meeting, which is a predominantly male group. I think, perhaps not.