🍺 The Women Breaking Into the Boys’ Brewing Club

A Premier Hop Feature on the Brewers Redefining British Beer

Britain’s brewing landscape is shifting — and some of the country’s most admired, award‑winning beers are now being crafted by women. A recent Sunday Times  piece written by Pete Brown highlights the brewers leading this change, showing how talent, resilience and fresh perspectives are reshaping an industry that has long skewed male. Their stories aren’t just inspiring; they’re a sign of where modern beer culture is heading. 

🌾 Sophie de Ronde: The Vision Behind Burnt Hill
Burnt Mill Brewery in Suffolk has earned serious respect since launching in 2017 — named Best New UK Brewery at the RateBeer awards and home to the British Guild of Beer Writers’ Brewer of the Year in 2019. That brewer is Sophie de Ronde, whose journey began behind the bar of a real ale pub in Essex.

Despite facing outdated attitudes — and even discovering an allergy to wheat and barley — she continued brewing by relying on aroma, experience and a trusted team to taste for bitterness and mouthfeel. Her beers at Burnt Mill are known for being fresh, unfiltered and beautifully balanced, with branding that avoids the brashness often associated with craft beer. 

🍻 The New Wave of Female Brewing Leaders
De Ronde is part of a growing group of women shaping some of Britain’s best breweries:

Georgina Young — former head brewer at Fuller’s, now brewing director at St Austell, where classics like Tribute and Proper Job continue to thrive.

Sara Barton — founder of Brewster’s in 1998, reviving the historic term for female brewers.

Claire Monk — founder of Welbeck Abbey Brewery, producing award‑winning ales from a Nottinghamshire estate.

Lara Lopes — Brazilian-born brewer at Round Corner, named Young Brewer of the Year in 2022 and now head brewer.

Their presence reflects a return to beer’s roots — brewing was dominated by women until the 16th century — and a push toward a more inclusive, modern industry. 

🍺 Why Representation Still Matters
Only 14% of women in the UK drink beer weekly, down from 17% in 2018, even though the craft beer boom was expected to broaden appeal. De Ronde argues the issue isn’t the beer itself — women enjoy the same styles as men — but the culture surrounding it.

More women working in breweries, taprooms and leadership roles helps create spaces where more women feel welcome. Her initiative, International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day, now sees more than 60 events worldwide, giving women a place to brew, learn and collaborate without the usual barriers. 

🎯 What This Means for Premier Hop
This shift aligns perfectly with what modern drinkers want: authenticity, diversity and breweries with real stories behind them. For Premier Hop, championing these women isn’t just good content — it’s a chance to spotlight some of the UK’s most exciting beers and the people redefining the craft.