GIRLS PINT OUT: FEMININE FIREPOWER IN INDIANA BEER Writer / Jessica Lollino
As Indiana grows closer to becoming a craft brewing behemoth like Michigan, more and more people are getting hip to the hops. Women especially are a part of the craft beer revolution, both as appreciators and creators.
offer. A personal favorite is “Beer, Coffee, and Donuts” which take place on a chilly autumn Saturday morning and features pairings of coffee-infused brews with donuts and pastries.
Responsible for planning and flawlessly executing a packed calendar of events, Wishin says, "I am always amazed by how We sat down to talk to two leading women far breweries will go to help GPO and what in Indiana craft beer, Amanda Wishin from sort of events they will put together. So Girls Pint Out and Eilise Lane from Scarlet many breweries have made a special beer Lane Brewing Company, to bring a little for us, or made a one-off, or put together an more awareness to the feminine firepower in education that took a lot of time and effort. Indiana beer. I have never dealt with anyone who hasn't been super supportive of Girls Pint Out.” Most people don’t know what Girls Pint Out is or that it even exists. Seven years One of those breweries is the female-headed young and with 104 chapters around the Scarlet Lane Brewery Company. country, Girls Pint Out is a way for women to come together and learn more about something they love — beer. Amanda Wishin, Indianapolis Chapter Head and National Girls Pint Out President, is the tsunami-like force that took a women's beer group and grew it into something so much more over the last few years.
Talking to Eilise Lane, the CEO and Head Brewer of Scarlet Lane Brewing Company is an education in itself. A self-described “English geek,” her brewery is a magical marriage of literature, mythology and, well, outstanding beer. The name of the brewery, Scarlet Lane, is named after Lane’s dog, whose name is inspired by Scarlett O’Hara of Gone with the Wind. Lane says of her favorite heroine which shares the brewery name, "Scarlett O'Hara is a huge inspiration; she's just so strong. She said, 'I'll just think about it tomorrow,' and I get that. I really get that." Eilise isn’t doing too much putting off until tomorrow in grand O’Hara style in her demanding dual role as she creates both innovative and crowd-pleasing beers at what seems like an impressively expedient pace.
One of the significant changes is the new 501(c3) status, which is something she is not only proud of, but is part of the new mission of the group: “Girls Pint Out wants to build a community of women who love craft beer and are involved in the craft beer community. Beyond planning events, we try to get people involved in a lot of other ways like volunteering.” They also offer other women's interest events in addition to beer education and volunteerism like "Damsel in Defense," which provides self-defense training to members. Membership is informal (just ‘like’ their Facebook page), free, and exposes members to the very best and some of the most unique events the city has to
Eilise Lane from Scarlet Lane Brewing Company and Amanda Wishin from Girls Pint Out are bringing awareness and feminine firepower to the Indiana craft beer industry.
TownePost.com / MARCH 2017 / INDY METRO