A local beer made by women, celebrating women? We’ll take two
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Many people will agree that a great beer is like a great work of art—but that comparison is being taken literally this week at Fyshwick’s Capital Brewing Co.
It’s a perspective that Capital Brewer Sherri Dill (pictured above, right) holds. She inherited her love of beer from her dad, as well as the view that beer should be something to enjoy—like a great piece of art.
“I blame my interest in beer on my dad, who got into craft beer on the belief that if you’re going to indulge, it should be in something good,” says Sherri. “Beer can be a lot of things—bad being one of them—but a good, well-crafted beer just feels well deserved, like sitting down after a long day.”
Sherri started a beer-stagram @mybrewcents in mid-2018 and soon after began working at Capital, where her love of craft beer only grew.
“Since then, I’ve just been working my way into the brewhouse, and management at Capital couldn’t have been more supportive,” she says.
In fact, Sherri has just completed her first brew as head of an all-female brew team for Capital’s special International Women’s Day beer—a Milkshake IPA.
Inspired by the National Gallery of Australia’s Know My Name initiative—an exhibition and a call to action to draw attention to and celebrate works of art by female artists—as well as their desire to collaborate with the Pink Boots Initiative—an international association which aims to assist, inspire, and encourage professional women brewers—Capital partnered with both organisations in an effort to recognise and challenge the lack of gender parity in their own industry.
“Capital Brewing has worked with the NGA for as long as I’ve been employed there,” says Sherri. “We have done collab beers with them before, and I’m sure this won’t be the last. They’ve been really great at showcasing beer for the art that it really is.”
“It really was just a serendipitous coincidence that we decided to make the Pink Boots beer around the same time as the Know My Name exhibition. I always work hard to get behind women supporting women, and if we can combine forces then we can reach more people and spread even more incredible female-produced art.”
Brewer Sherri Dill adding hops to the kettle.
With a 2019 Brewer’s Association report finding that only 7.5% of brewers identify as female it’s clear there’s a steep hill to climb, but Sherri says the Capital team are eager to be part of that change.
“A team is always going to be more successful with a variety of perspectives. Diverse ideas—and in this case, palates—are key to moving a team forward and achieving its goals.”
“I love learning from the guys, and I love sharing my perspectives on how we brew beer. It’s always validating to be able to show that I can provide insight on certain procedures.”
“The women at Capital all play such an important part in the company’s mission and all kick ass in several areas of the company. Including more women on the team doesn’t mean excluding more men—it just means we can all lift each other up even more.”
The Milkshake IPA was created by Sherri and fellow brew team members Annie De Silva and Lauren Ghirardello on Monday 8 May—International Women’s Day but also the Pink Boots 2021 Collaboration Brew Day—with a propriety hop blend from the Pink Boots Society.
“I’ll be the first to admit I’m still very much a novice—but the brew team at Capital have been endlessly supportive,” says Sherri. “They help me when needed, but there’s a lot of tough love and they certainly didn’t hold my hand through the process. They knew we could do it—even when I doubted myself.”
“The other ladies who joined me had such a great time, as well. I don’t think I quite prepared them well enough for standing over the hot kettle or dumping 25kg bags of rolled oats in, but we got the job done. ”
(L-R) Annie De Silva, Lauren Ghirardello and Sherri Dill.
As for those who are wondering exactly what a Milkshake IPA (that’s Indian Pale Ale) might taste like, Sherri says it’ll have a “soft pillowy mouthfeel” thanks to the lactose sugar.
“It’ll be tropical, fruity, and sweet, hopefully well balanced by the Pink Boots hop blend. I really made a beer that I love to drink, and hoping everyone else will too.”
The Milkshake IPA is expected to be released into the Capital Brewing Co Fyshwick taproom in late March, as well as being sold at select venues across Canberra with proceeds going to support women in the brewing industry.
Capital Brewing Co was expected to be amongst more than 400 breweries that will use the hops to create a beer as part of the Pink Boots 2021 Collaboration Brew Day.
