SB BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
WOMEN IN BEER:
A
BY ADAM BAILEY
The Women-Helmed Brew Crew of Red River Brewpub
There are over 40 craft breweries in Louisiana and, though the totality of beer making is still largely a man’s game, there are plenty of females making their mark in the brewing industry.
rchaeologists argue about how many thousands of years ago our distant ancestors started brewing beer, but no one questions that women did the work. The dominance of clean-cut men in lab coats and burly artisans with belly-length beards is a relatively modern phenomenon within the industry. However, around Shreveport, there are plenty of women at the Red River Brewpub who are determined to change this perception. Formerly known as Red River Brewing Company, the Red River reopened after the COVID lockdown with a new name, a fully revamped menu, and enhanced features and services for its patrons. The decor is top-notch, with local artistic flourishes complementing the industrial chic design. It operates as an open microbrewery, with patrons able to watch the entire process from the spacious seating area. There is a large bar, a covered patio outside, and just enough TVs on the walls to keep the sports fans happy without morphing into a full sports bar. All the beers are named after local influences—Heliopolis, Twice Pardoned, Hay Ryed, Countess and River Monster—just to name a few. The name change is a part of an ongoing rebranding plan to clearly present itself as a restaurant-style taproom, instead of its former concept as a distribution brewery. Sleek and modern, the Red River Brewpub location is a must-stop for any beer lover. Of the dozen-or-so employees who work at maintaining the brewpub, all but three are female. It’s Managing Director, Ally Bean, does a little bit of everything at Red River, balancing her time between sales and business development, while supporting several functions including marketing and social media, charitable efforts, and community
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outreach and engagement. She is committed to empowering others to create a vibrant and resilient community of female professionals across multiple sectors in the fermented beverage industries—for now and the future. So much so, Bean is quick to offer up praise for all the women who help keep Red River running smoothly. “I couldn’t do any of it without our great staff who work hard to maintain a reliable reputation in this community,” Bean freely admits. “Elizabeth Walkoviak, Abby Shanks, Katherine Harper and Maddie Petrini—all help with the day-to-day operations, from restaurant management, bartending, catering, and event coordination.” “The beer business is a place where our creativity is not constrained, and where those of us with strong and intense personalities are respected,” Bean says. “Men in the industry are not threatened; more so, they respect us and treat us as equals. They know we bring different things to the table. And that’s a good thing.” The innovative approach to running a microbrewery isn’t the only thing that sets Red River apart. “Unfortunately, I’ve found it’s commonplace to enter spaces where, as a woman, I’m in the minority, and I’m often held to a higher-standard, criticized more, or have to defend why someone like myself is doing what I’m doing,” Bean says. Although in some rooms these qualities make her stand out, they’ve also made for an inclusive brewery here in Shreveport. “While there are moments where you may feel pretty lonely, if you keep at it, and, in my case, have the opportunity and privilege to create a space where people feel welcome and included, things can change for the better.” Beer-lover or not, that in itself it is why anyone should check out Red River Brewpub. — Who’s thirsty for a beer right now?
