Kettlehouse has first ever ‘Ladies Day’ at Myrtle Street taproom
“Oh, yes it’s ladies night, and the feelings right, Oh, yes it’s ladies night, Oh what a night…”
Kettlehouse beer slingers Megan Williams and Samantha Alario show off thier new pink shirts on "Ladies Day" at the brewery
Kettlehouse Brewing Co. brewer Colleen Bitter and packaging manager Corey Regini brewed up more than a new idea for a beer.
The duo decided to make Tuesday “Ladies Day” at the Kettlehouse’s southside location on Myrtle Street. While the women brewed up a new Cream Ale in the back, Megan Williams and Samantha Alario slung beers to patrons in the taproom. It was all ladies, all Tuesday.
To recognize the inaugural “Ladies Day,” the women sported pink Kettlehouse T-shirts to show their support for the Pink Boots Society, a worldwide association dedicated to helping advance female careers in the beer industry. It’s the first time that an all-female staff has managed one of the brewery locations. That’s partly because there are only a few female brewers in the state. Colleen was the first female brewer in Montana, and Corey, who was learning the skills of the trade on Tuesday, is hoping to eventually join the brewing ranks.
Plus, it’s only appropriate that the two women were brewing a beer that will likely cater to many female customers. The light, lager-style ale is low in alcohol and hops and is often referred to as a “lawn mower beer,” Biatter said. Look for the Cream Ale in about two weeks.
- Chelsi Moy
Great story and it looks like a fun day at the Kettlehouse. No offense to Colleen, but I just wanted to present some information. Having been in the beer business in Montana for 16 years, the first female brewer in the state (to my knowledge) was Jennifer (last name I can’t remember), who was the Head Brewer of Rockin’ M Brewing in Belgrade, Montana in the mid 1990′s. Not sure where she went after Rockin’ M closed, but the brewery later became Big Hole Brewing, which now only exists as a contract label for Madison River Brewing in Belgrade. FYI….
I think it’s pretty rad that breweries are noticing that women are a market. But also pretty damn annoyed that a lighter, lower alcohol beer is “for girls.”
I love to see women celebrate beer. If we lived closer, my wife would be at all of your lady festivities.
Cheers to the Ladies in Pink. One of the favorite brews of the ladies at my pub is my Midnight Satin Cream Stout… like drinking dark smooth chocolate. A real hit with the folks that like a complex red wine.
Brew on gals. Penny Pink, Owner and Brewer, Portneuf Valley Brewing, Pocatello, Idaho
Congratulations on your first awesome women’s consumer beer event!
FYI: The woman owner of the Rockin’M Brewery was Jennifer Ballard. Last I heard she’d moved to Eastern Oregon near Enterprise or Joseph, and may be there still.
Thanks for publishing this article. I’d like to invite Colleen, Corey, Megan and Samantha (who are all PBS members, as are all of Kettlehouse’s female employees) to consider making their Ladies Night event into a Barley’s Angels chapter. Barley’s Angels is the consumer & fundraising arm of the Pink Boots Society. Please visit http://www.barleysangels.org for details.
Please email if you have questions. I’m easy to find online.
Congratulations again! Glad you are having a blast.
Congratulations on your first ladies event, Colleen & Corey. We just held our 1st “Ladies at Ladyface” event. Open to new enthusiasts & lady-geeks alike, we’re promoting education about, and enjoyment of, craft beer. The inaugural meeting included tastings of the basic styles of ale brewed by Ladyface with a Q&A & idea exchange. Led by Ladyface proprietor & Pink Book Society member Cyrena Nouzille, we’ll be meeting the 3rd Monday of every night at 6pm. Join us if you’re ever down in SoCal! Hope to meet you one of these days.