Australia’s Home Brewers are Increasing, but There’s Not a Female in Sight

A study of over 2,500 home brewers in Australia has revealed a growing industry, but that it lacks almost any participation from women.

Created by craft beer retailer Beer Cartel, the 2017 Australian Home Brewers Survey is the most comprehensive, publicly available research ever undertaken with Australian home brewers.

Richard Kelsey, Director of Beer Cartel said the research provided some interesting results, particularly the low participation rate of women, with just 2% of all home brewers female.

“Female participation contrasts significantly to the Australian Craft Beer Survey which we conducted last year,’” said Mr Kelsey.

“Within that (the 2016 Australian Craft Beer Survey), we found 20% of craft beer drinkers were female. I would have thought there would be some correlation between craft beer drinking and home brewing, but at present it doesn’t seem to be inspiring females to give home brewing a try.”

Key findings of the research included:

• Home brewing in Australia is almost exclusively male: 98% of home brewers are male, with just 2% female.
• The home brew industry in Australia grew 3% in the last year: 11% of those surveyed indicated they had just started home brewing in the last 12 months, while 8% had stopped.
• Home brewers are typically quite experienced: on average those surveyed have been home brewing for 6.9 years. The more advanced All Grain brewing is the most popular home brewing technique.
• Pale Ale is Australia’s most home brewed style of beer: brewed by 86% of home brewers.
• Participation in home brewing competitions and home brewing groups is low: just 28% of home brewers have ever entered a home brewing competition, while 17% are members of an offline home brewing group.

Kirrily Waldhorn, who is a member of the Pink Boots Society of Australia, an organisation created to empower female beer professionals, said the study was a fantastic initiative at better understanding the Australian home brewing landscape, but the fact so few females were home brewing was disappointing.

“We know the image of beer is changing and it is now much more accessible and open to women. Pink Boots as a group is growing and we’re seeing more females take up roles throughout the whole of the beer industry. But there does still seem to be a stigma around actual brewing through, whether it be commercial brewing, or home brewing. It’s still seen as a bit of a male domain and that really needs to change,” said Ms Waldhorn.

To learn more about the 2017 Australian Home Brewer Survey contact Richard Kelsey 0405 251 864, or visit: http://www.beercartel.com.au/blog/2017-australian-home-brewer-survey-results/