Progressive and inclusive beer event ‘Summer Hop’ launches

Women On Tap, the company behind women-in-beer festival Wotfest, will be launching the new inclusive event Summer Hop next month.

The one-day symposium, which will take place on 4 July in the private upstairs event space at Rooster’s taproom at Hornbeam Park in Harrogate in North Yorkshire, is set to be a gender-inclusive day that welcomes all people who have an interest in the UK beer industry.

The day will be split into three sections: ‘Talks, Tastings and Social’ – with each part ticketed separately and will commence with an industry-focused segment from 10am-3pm featuring speakers who are activists, trailblazers, leaders, researchers, and experts in the beer sharing data, insights and perspectives on the way the sector is evolving.

One element of the day, titled: ‘What the hell is going on with women and beer in the UK?’ will hear from beer sommelier Annabel Smith as she discusses the headlines from the recent Gender Pint Gap: Revisited report. Additionally, Inka Kosonen will share research from her PHD thesis titled ‘Making the British craft beer industry more inclusive: A pragmatist inquiry into gender inequalities’.

As part of the day, a roundtable discussion titled ‘The UK beer industry is failing women. How can we drive real change?’ will also pinpoint issues and explore solutions. Hearing from Women On Tap founder Rachel Auty; Rooster’s digital marketing coordinator Isobel Cameron; db’s beer and features editor Jessica Mason; Head of Steam general manager Lauren Gilbert; Northern Monk general manager Heather Griffin; Attic Brew Co business development manager Catherine Webber and Thornbridge Brewery’s creative lead Bex Painter along with Thornbridge events and marketing coordinator Katie Wynne.

A ‘WOT Topics’ hour will then bring a range of mini talks on activism projects and guidance, and Smith and Auty will close the talks with a look at the Dea Latis 10-point manifesto, which offers practical takeaways to drive positive change.

Tickets for Summer Hop are priced at £15, including access to all talks and networking opportunities, a light lunch, and a beer. Plus, limited availability £10 Barthhaas-subsidised tickets are available.

Guided Beer Tasting

Once the main talks are concluded, a guided tasting, hosted by Smith, will take place from 3.15pm-4.30pm showcasing four Rooster’s beers and include information on flavour profiles, beer styles and brewing techniques.

Tickets are £12 which includes all beers and some paired snacks.

Beer Social

The final part of the day will take place from 5pm and is titled as the event’s ‘Beer Social’ hosted by Women On Tap CIC which is is open to anyone who loves beer.

Entertainment will include spoken word from the poet Jem Henderson and live music from Waihuka Matekuare (Wai) and Amber Ra.

Doors for the social part of the day will open at 5pm and entertainment will run from 5.30-7.30 and will continue afterwards downstairs in a reserved area of the main taproom space. For this section, tickets are just £5 and include attendee’s first drink and a WOT pin badge.

Exhibition

In addition to the programme of talks and entertainment, a photography exhibition will be on display all day in the main event room for all attendees to enjoy.
The exhibition, titled: Raging! is a project that addresses the issue of women+ being seen and not heard and is a “vibrant, punchy and ironic commentary on societal expectation”.

Artists Grace Wilkinson and Sarah Oglesby will also be delivering a short talk about the project and their work as part of the event’s WOT Topics section of the day, and there will be a participative element in the shape of a ‘Board of Rage’ where attendees will all get the chance to share any of their own frustrations.

Find out more about the event here.

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