OnTap Magazine

Why did you start the Science of Beer Institute? I was inspired by my academic research - at graduation, I saw an opportunity to offer instruction about beer because formal education was very scarce. I fell in love with science and beer, so I created the Science of Beer Institute from scratch, a beer teaching institution which today is one of the largest in this sector. What has the impact of the Institute been so far? The institution was founded in 2010, and has trained more than 10,000 students, with courses about Beer Pairing, Brewing Technology, Sensorial Analyses and for graduate Beer Sommeliers. In my institution, I seek to employ and provide opportunities for other women to study and work with beer. My team is mainly female, I want their voices to join mine within the sector. How is your work received in Brazil and does your gender have any impact on that reception? It is still not easy and these flags still frighten and alienate a lot of people, but I will continue in this fight because I know that it can really bring about change in the sector. After being rejected so many times, I decided to make a difference with my own hands and to make room for competent women in the brewing market to be in equal positions. A man does not need to study or strive as hard as a woman to gain a position in the market. How are you supporting women in beer? I founded the Brasil Beer Cup. Last year we hosted the first edition and this year will be bigger. In this innovative project, we promoted gender equality by selecting women to make up 50% of the beer judges, contrary to a market composed mostly of men. I'm proud of this project and I hope it helps to give voice and value to the work of women in the beer sector. What are your future aspirations and plans? I want to continue my work, in science and the study of beer, and also helping other women's work be seen and become well known. I would like to turn the Brasil Beer Cup into a reference point for the beer industry. I research a lot and recently I developed and patented an exclusive technology that consists of an aroma kit designed for sensory training and that can be used for smell recovery physiotherapy, called Aroma Sensory Training. This project has the potential to help a lot of people and I want to share it to develop the reputation of our sector. AMANDA REITENBACH Science of Beer Institute | Florianópolis, Brazil I fell in love with science and beer How did you get involved with the industry? Craft beer interests me as it is a beverage that teaches us about ourselves, each other and it can be paired incredibly with food. I got into the industry as a homebrewer in my 20s and it grew from there. Has your gender has presented opportunities or challenges? I have many examples on both sides. I have received quite a few opportunities being a woman as there has been a call for equitable share of voice across all industries, instead of just male influences. I have received a lot of opportunities to speak as female leader in the industry that I might not otherwise have gotten. It can be challenging being a woman leader in a male-dominated industry as being a woman always leads the conversation— when I am actually here to talk about the amazing hobby of homebrewing. What are your aspirations for the future of female leaders like yourself in the beer industry? I would really love to see more women- identified leaders in the beer community. This includes women educating themselves, being pro-active, getting certifications, and showing the value of the experience and knowledge. You have recently become Executive Director of theAmericanHomebrewers Association, how do you intend to steer the AHA forward? In my first year, I am learning so much about the incredible community of homebrewers and members of the AHA. The future looks very bright to bring more people to the hobby and continue to make homebrewing accessible and welcoming to all. JULIA HERZ The American Homebrewers Association | US I got into the industry as a homebrewer in my 20s 26 | Winter 2022 | ontapmag.co.za