Brewing Change Around the World: IWCBD 2025 Campaign Drives £27K for Women's Causes
International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day (IWCBD) made its welcome return this year – and what a comeback. 61 brew days, 837 participants, 66 beers, and an incredible £26,921 raised for 44 women’s causes around the world.
First launched in 2014 by Sophie de Ronde (Burnt Mill Brewery), the global brewing celebration ran for 10 years before taking a break in 2024. Later that year, Women On Tap CIC — the social enterprise championing gender equality in the male-dominated beer industry — announced it would be picking up the reins. With backing from headline sponsor Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA) and support from Simpsons Malt, the campaign not only returned but evolved.
For the first time, every IWCBD brew day committed to donating at least £100 to a women’s cause of their choice — a move formalised by Women On Tap to ensure lasting impact. Meanwhile, education partner Wines and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) stepped up, offering 18 fully funded Level 1 Beer Award places, with an extra four funded by 71 Brewing, meaning 22 women will now have a globally recognised qualification in beer.
The numbers speak for themselves:
61 brew days across multiple countries
74 breweries involved
837 participants
66 brand-new beers brewed
£26,921 donated
44 women's causes supported
22 women awarded fully funded WSET beer qualifications
Rachel Auty, founder of Women On Tap CIC, said:
“This campaign is about more than brewing great beer as a community — it's about showing that a better, more connected and diverse beer industry is possible. Seeing women and non-binary people come together globally, taking up space, creating new opportunities, and driving real impact has been inspiring. And we’re just getting started.”
The buzz has been loud and proud. Feedback from breweries underlines just how vital IWCBD is:
"IWCBD is building a powerful network that empowers women and non-binary people to take up space, educate, and create new opportunities. A more balanced beer industry is a better beer industry." – Hand Brew Co.
"It’s essential for women in beer to have spaces where they are truly supported." – Turning Point Brew Co.
"This initiative puts vital conversations about diversity centre stage, and shows that beer really is for everyone." – Tap Social Movement
Neil Walker, Head of Comms at SIBA, headline sponsor of IWCBD 2025, said:
"SIBA was proud to sponsor this year’s IWCBD because representation matters. The independent beer community thrives on innovation and passion – and the more diverse the industry becomes, the stronger and more resilient it will be."
And the movement is growing.
Plans for 2026 are already brewing: expanding international reach, launching the first-ever UNITE Awards to recognise stand-out IWCBD efforts to inspire others, and even exploring an IWCBD beer festival.
Sign-ups are scheduled to open earlier than usual in October 2025 – and sponsors are now being sought to help make next year even bigger.
As one participant put it: "Together, we can do anything."
Contact: rachel@womenontap.co.uk