Rachel, the beer school

“I opened The Beer School six years ago. There was nothing like this in Westhoughton, we had to travel into places like Manchester. I love it because every day is always different and I’m a people person. I like talking to people, and I love the beer. I get up on a Monday morning and I get to choose the beer, which is just brilliant. I’ve also done a few collaborations over the years with breweries like Northern Monkey and Neptune. I’ve learnt so much, everything from top to bottom.

I feel like I have to work twice as hard because I’m a woman and I have to battle with some people’s perceptions of me and the business. It’s not done with any malice, more curiosity I guess that a woman could know about beer, choose the beer, and run a place like this from top to bottom. It was relentless when we first opened. So when I did my cellar training I put my certificates on the wall, and I really shouldn’t have to do that. But when I did, people’s perceptions started to change.

There's some incredible women that we both look to in the industry that go above and beyond owning a bar, pub or brewery. Their passion and knowledge is inspiring! I’ve formed some great friendships with many women in beer by continually putting myself ‘out there’ through things like IWCBD, CAMRA (I’m currently the only woman who sits on the Bolton CAMRA committee) and through schemes like Best Bar None, for which I’m an Ambassador. I’ve attended the House of Lords three times and hold a platinum award. I also sit on the committee for Westhoughton Pubwatch and act as a go-between for us and Bolton pubwatch so we can link our information and resources. I’m constantly compaigning for change in the pub and beer industry from all sides.”

Rachel, Director of The Beer School and Amateur Brewster. (Pronouns she/her)