Brewery tackles inequality head-on with Brave Noise
A BERKSHIRE brewery is tackling sexism and discrimination in the industry head-on with its brand new brew.
Brave Noise pale ale is the latest beer produced by Elusive Brewing as part of a global collaborative project seeking to provide inclusive and safe environments for women, LGBTQ+ people, and BIPOC members of the brewing community.
Brave Noise is also the name of an initiative which seeks to ensure equality in the brewing industry, sparked by a social media post asking members of the brewing community about their experiences with sexism.
It aims to create a safe industry free from discrimination, and has led to the creation of a range of beers under the Brave Noise banner and recipe.
Elusive’s own offering will also go to fund the training of wellness officers at The Coven, an organisation which sees safeguarding officers attending beer festivals.
The brewery is also bringing back its annual Women’s Day Home Brew Project, which encourages women and supporters of women’s equality to brew their own beers and to compare them at a bottle share event in Bristol.
The project is a collaboration between the brewery, Good Chemistry Brewing, Lallemand Brewing, and BarthHaas X, and sees a new oatmeal stout name No True Measure also brought to shelves.
Elusive’s managing director, Ruth Mitchell, said: “There has been much talk about the issues faced by women and minorities in the beer industry over the past few years but very little action, especially in the UK.
“All too often people are outraged by the stories shared but then don’t do anything to improve things, and when they are no longer the hot topic, people move on.
“I am incredibly proud that by taking part in Brave Noise we are making a stand as a company, and doing something to help to make a real positive difference to our industry.”
She also explained: “The beer industry is on the whole a wonderful, inclusive, encouraging and supportive one, but the overwhelming reaction to Brianne’s question shows that we still have a way to go.
“So far, 15 of the 2,000-plus breweries in the UK have brewed or
pledged to brew a Brave Noise beer – there is still time to sign up and we really hope that more breweries join us to help make a great, big, brave noise.”
She said that progress was moving “slowly,” but explained in a blog post: “If you think beer should be safe and discrimination free – and I really, really hope you do – what can you do to make things better?
“Buy this beer, or any Brave
Noise beer, follow Brave Noise and The Coven, who we’re donating to, and support the other breweries who have brewed for the project.”
Elusive’s Brave Noise is being stocked in a number of Reading outlets, including The Grumpy
Goat, The Alehouse, The Greyfriar, The Castle Tap, and The Fox and Hounds in Caversham, subject to availability. ■ Information about Elusive Brewing is available via: elusivebrewing.com
■ More information about the Brave Noise initiative is available via: bravenoisebeer.com