LOUISVILLE, Ky — The "Women in Beer" panel packs Logan Street Market during Louisville Beer Week.
Amelia Pillow says IPA's aren't going anywhere but there certainly has been an increase in demand of lighter yet just as tasty Kolsch or Pilsner beers.
"One of core brands is a Kolsch and I think that a lot of people who have been drinking beer for a long time, while we do enjoy those really flavorful beers we really kind of want something that's slow alcohol, has really clean light flavors so we can drink more than two."
Pillow has been in the beer-making business for 15 years. The former “Head Pub Brewer” of Louisville’s Against the Grain opened Shippingport Brewing Company in June.
Pillow joined an all-women panel of beer makers at Logan Street Market during Louisville Beer Week. Pillow and her cohorts discussed their challenges and triumphs of working in a traditionally male dominated space.
"I think a lot of that always comes down to representation. If you don’t see someone else doing a job or involved or enjoying something it’s harder to imagine yourself enjoying it," Pillow said. “If you don’t see any women doing it then it’s really easy to think it’s not for you.”
Pillow left an earlier career in art and design in New York City to pursue a new venture. She landed in Portland, Oregon and began working her way up through the ranks of the beer industry. While women have not been well represented in the beer industry over the years Pillow says Louisville is certainly fostering a more inclusive scene.
"It’s always gratifying and a good experience to bond with the other women in the industry but overall the industry, in my experience, has such a heart of trying to connect people."
The quality of the Louisville beer scene is illustrated well by the events of Louisville Beer Week.
"There have been a lot of different beer releases, colabs between the breweries. We did a Louisville beer history panel just the other night and tonight we are here for the Women in Beer panel," Michael Moeller told Spectrum News 1. Moeller is the co-founder of Louisville Ale Trail and an organizer of Louisville Beer Week.
For any women thinking about breaking into beer, Pillow has this advice, “Get in there and try some beer and if you love it and are passionate about it there is space for you.”
Cheers to that!
The "Women in Beer," panel included:
Lori Beck (The Grales)
Lori is the co-owner of The Grales, a multispace food & beverage campus located in the Original Highlands that includes Holy Grale (beer bar & restaurant), Gralehaus (brunch cafe and B&B), and Grale Goods (natural wine bar & retail shop; coming soon).
Brittney Donohue (New Belgium)
Brittney has been a lover of beer since her first sip of Chimay Grande Reserve almost 20 years ago. As a fine dining restaurant manager in Chicago, her passion for pairing dishes with beer instead of wine led her to The Publican, a restaurant inspired by a European Beer Hall, where she could hone in on the craft. Ready to immerse herself completely in the three-tier system of the beer world, she joined Beer House Distributing in her hometown of Louisville, KY.
Kaitlyn Colberg (West Sixth Nulu)
Kaitlyn Colberg is from Williamsport, Pennsylvania and graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology: Exercise Science. She has been working in beer for over 8 years, starting at The Beer Trappe in Lexington, moving on to be a sales rep, and has been with West Sixth Brewing since 2015. She recently moved to Louisville to take on the taproom manager position at West Sixth Nulu.
Leah Dienes (Apocalypse Brew Works)
Leah Dienes is a partner and head brewer for Apocalypse Brew Works in Louisville. She uses her skills as a national beer, mead, and cider judge and her roots as an award-winning home-brewer to create creative brews with a focus on drinkability. A self-proclaimed "beer-evangelist," she enjoys teaching people all about beer, making it fun and educational.
Amelia Pillow (Shippingport Brewing)
Amelia Pillow is owner/brewmaster of Shippingport Brewing Co. and the Sally Forth Taproom in Louisville. She is a 15-year industry veteran, most recently coming from Against the Grain as Head Pub Brewer. She joyfully opened Shippingport and the Sally Forth against all pandemic odds and challenges in June of 2021.
Kristina Addington (Chimera, V-Grits)
On the cusp of its anniversary, Kristina is the owner of Chimera Brewing Company, focused on brewing with benefits by donating a portion of every pour to a local nonprofit. Kristina is also the owner of a local vegan restaurant, V-Grits, and a mom.
Moderated by:
Kindsey Bernhard (Porchdrinking.com, Hi-Wire Louisville)
Kindsey Bernhard is the taproom manager for Hi-Wire Brewing Louisville. Hi-Wire is based out of Asheville, North Carolina and the Louisville location is their sixth taproom. Bernhard is the founder and host of Boys Are From Märzen, a women in beer podcast. She is also the Kentucky Regional Editor for PorchDrinking.com and the chapter co-leader of the Kentucky Pink Boots Society.
Bio's provided by Louisville Beer Week