Bathurst’s Reckless Brewing Co. has paid homage to the Australian women’s soccer team with its latest International Women’s Day (IWD) release, the Matilda XPA, while Gage Roads’ Shred Betty Juicy IPA will help fund scholarships to support women in the brewing industry.
Reckless Brewing’s previous IWD releases include Helen Red XPA, celebrating Helen Reddy, Nas XPA, named for ABC presenter Nas Campanella, and Frida XPA, after Frida Kahlo.
Reckless Co-Founder and Head of Operations Grace Fowler explained why the brewery decided to highlight the Matildas with its latest release.
“We’re massive, massive fans of the Matildas here. Who isn’t? They are such an inspiration and their success last year felt like something had really shifted in Australian sport. More people tuned in to their games than into any of the big-ticket Grand Finals, during the Women’s World Cup,” she said.
Fowler described the beer as a crisp, classic XPA with dialled-back tropical hops, a lower ABV, and light bitterness, resulting in a “crushable”, sessionable brew. Fowler’s goal was to create a beer that was accessible to a broad audience while retaining the key flavour characteristics of the XPA style.
The brewery has released several XPAs, including the Reckless XPA, which was awarded the Trophy for Best Australian-Style Pale Ale at the 2023 Australian International Beer Awards.
“Being able to tweak the style and make an XPA that’s even more up-front accessible has been fun, and the Matilda XPA is absolutely one of the most fun we’ve had making beer here,” Fowler said.
As with Reckless Brewing’s previous IWD releases, all proceeds from the sale of Matilda XPA will go towards women’s health through the brewery’s charity partner, the Central West Women’s Health Centre.
Fowler explained the importance of the centre to the community.
“Centres like this do such important work across our cities and regions, whatever we can do to help them in their work makes a huge difference. It’s about making something we’re passionate about, for a cause we’re passionate for.”
Meanwhile an all-female crew at Gage Roads Brew Co (GRBC) has once again teamed up, to release a limited-edition beer that funds scholarships to support the progression of women in the brewing industry.
The 5.7 per cent Shred Betty Juicy IPA brings passionfruit, mango and grapefruit vibes through its combination of Mosaic, Citra and Simcoe hops.
Gage Roads Freo Head Brewer, Simone Clements, said: “The brew was fermented with Tropicale yeast, which during fermentation interacts with compounds in the hops to intensify tropical characters such as passionfruit, mango and grapefruit.”
Proceeds from the sale of Shred Betty will fund $10,000 worth of scholarships through Pinks Boots Society Australia to help progress the education and development of women in the brewing industry.
This release will mark $40,000 in scholarships that Gage Roads has funded to date.
GRBC Brand Manager Mimi Crompton says she’s proud of what the all-female crew have delivered.
“This is always such a fun release to work with the Gage Gals on,” she said. “Not only is Shred Betty a great tasting beer, but it’s also doing something great in helping to support the progression and empowerment of women in the industry – something I’m really passionate about.
“Over the years we’ve grown our partnerships with Pink Boots Society Australia and we can see the positive results these scholarships are having. Cheers to that.”
Matilda XPA is available from Reckless Brewing Co.’s taproom in Bathurst, from its website, and from participating bottle shops.
Shred Betty Juicy IPA launches on International Women’s Day, available on tap and in 500ml cans across Western Australia. Check out the Gage Roads website for stockists.