Women On Tap CIC

Lore & Background

Women On Tap CIC was founded in Harrogate in 2017, beginning with a beer and arts festival designed to showcase women in the beer sector, including brewers, industry professionals, and enthusiasts. The first festival combined tastings, educational sessions, and creative elements, and subsequent editions continued to offer a mix of live events, workshops, panel discussions, and performances. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the organisation adapted its annual festival by delivering the programme online, including talks, tastings, music, yoga sessions, and panel discussions. By 2024, it had run seven festivals and more than 100 events, along with multiple campaigns aimed at raising the profile of women in the industry. In response to ongoing data suggesting slow progress in increasing women’s representation in beer, Women On Tap CIC convened a short-term advisory board in 2024 to review its mission, develop impact frameworks, and strengthen its financial resilience.

Reader's Guide

Women On Tap CIC’s significance lies in its sustained efforts to address gender imbalances in the beer industry through festivals, education, creative commissions, and partnerships. Its flagship Women On Tap Festival (WOTFEST) features beer tastings, tap takeovers, educational panels, art exhibitions, charity fundraising, and creative commissions, spotlighting breweries and professionals who identify as women. The organisation collaborates with breweries and experts to offer discussions, tastings, brewery tours, and training sessions aimed at fostering dialogue and practical steps toward inclusion. It commissions creative works on themes of equality and diversity, and partners with breweries for special festival beers. Notably, it worked with the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) to create the first “Diversity Champion of the Year” category for their 2025 Independent Beer Awards. In 2025, Women On Tap CIC took control of the International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day campaign, with the theme “Unite Society”, encouraging breweries worldwide to collaborate on new beers and support women-focused causes. Its work is funded through sponsorships, donations, and partnerships with breweries, pubs, and arts organisations, including Thornbridge Brewery, Cloudwater Brew Co, Northern Monk, Rooster's Brewery, Simpsons Malt, and Brew York.

Did You Know?

• As of 2025, Women On Tap CIC controls the campaign behind International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day.
• It collaborated with SIBA to create the first 'Diversity Champion of the Year' category for the 2025 Independent Beer Awards.