{"id":63360,"date":"2026-03-06T11:05:43","date_gmt":"2026-03-06T19:05:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bcaletrail.ca\/?p=63360"},"modified":"2026-03-09T14:07:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T21:07:00","slug":"international-womens-day-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bcaletrail.ca\/international-womens-day-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"International Women\u2019s Day on the BC Ale Trail: Voices, Leadership & the Women Shaping Beer"},"content":{"rendered":"

International Women\u2019s Day is a time to celebrate progress, amplify voices, and reflect honestly on the work still ahead. Across British Columbia, breweries are marking March 8 with special releases and events led by women in brewing.<\/span><\/p>\n

This year, we\u2019re also honouring one of the most influential figures in Canadian brewing and brewing education: <\/span>Nancy More.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Nancy
Nancy More at the 2019 BC Beer Awards, where she was awarded the Industry Legend Award (photo: Just Jash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Five Questions with Nancy More<\/b><\/h3>\n

Could you describe your career in a nutshell?<\/b><\/h4>\n

\u201cI joined Labatt as a technical trainee and then worked at breweries across Canada,\u201d Nancy says. \u201cMy 15 minutes of fame were being appointed Head Brewmaster at Labatt New Brunswick, the first woman to hold that level of position.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Her career quickly became international. \u201cI moved to Russia with SunInterbrew to help improve quality, breweries, new beers, and leaders across Russia and Ukraine.\u201d She later worked with InBev Global and Guinness.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I returned to Canada, Kwantlen was starting up the Brewing and Brewery Operations<\/a> program. Dominic Bernard and I co-wrote the curriculum, and I taught from the inception of the program through to 2025.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What did you enjoy most on a day-to-day level?<\/b><\/h4>\n

\u201cMy favourite parts of any job worked well together: developing people and solving problems,\u201d she says. \u201cA great way to develop people is to coach them through solving problems they experience on the job.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She adds, \u201cOne of the best parts of working in our industry is seeing how your products help people enjoy life and celebrate important moments.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Martina
Martina Solano Bielen, Emily Kokonas and Nancy More at 5 Roads Brewing in Langley on the Fraser Valley Ale Trail (photo provided)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What moment feels most defining when you look back?<\/b><\/h4>\n

\u201cTaking the opportunity to move to Russia set me on a different trajectory,\u201d Nancy reflects.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy team came from all over the world. We all had different ideas about brewing, but by talking through problems, we found the right solution for the brewery we were working with.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The experience shaped a lesson she often shared with students: \u201cI learned that we are more the same than we are different, but that the differences are important. The way we did things in Canada was just one way, not the right way.\u201d She adds, \u201cAnd, this made students laugh whenever I said it, it depends.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What has mattered most to you beyond the beer itself?<\/b><\/h4>\n

\u201cNo doubt: the people. <\/span>I\u2019ve been involved in training young brewers all over the world and have seen our graduates become great brewers and leaders,\u201d she says. At KPU, she taught leadership and management, lessons many students only fully appreciated years later.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI also realized early on that my way of working with people was different from many of my male colleagues. I wanted to show that my way could be just as effective.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Nancy
Nancy More in the KPU Brew Lab in Langley, BC with a can of Final Lecture Black Lager, a special beer brewed in honour of her retirement (photo: KPU Brewing and Brewery Operations\/Facebook)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The industry has changed significantly over the years. From your perspective, how has the experience for women in brewing evolved?<\/b><\/h4>\n

\u201cThis is a tough question,\u201d Nancy says. \u201cRecently, I asked a group of women in the industry if things were getting better, and sadly, the answer was \u2018not really.\u2019 People talk about diversity, but behaviours and opportunities haven\u2019t changed as much as they should.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Still, she remains hopeful. \u201cThe fact that people are talking about diversity is progress. Visibility matters; young women need to see people like them in the industry to believe that they belong. Maybe this is part of what I\u2019ve done through teaching, to show that this is possible.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What advice would you give to women entering brewing today?<\/b><\/h4>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t have to be one of the boys,\u201d Nancy says. <\/span>\u201cExpress yourself and then deliver solutions. Your style may be different; demonstrate how it can be successful.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She also emphasizes community. \u201cHelp each other. Find your supporters, and thank them for what they do for you. I send my thanks out to people (Steve K, Ivan G, Dave P, Chris L, Gene Z.) who stood up for me and made sure that I was given opportunities and coached me to be a success.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"KPU
KPU Brewing faculty with awards from the 2019 BC Beer Awards. L-R: Jon Howe, Dominic Bernard, Martina Solano Bielen, Nancy More, Alek Egi, Derek Kindret and Stan Wong (photo: Brian K. Smith)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Read more about Nancy’s legacy<\/a> as a BC Beer Awards Industry Legend Award winner, and the scholarship named in her honour.<\/p>\n

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International Women\u2019s Day Brews & Events Across the BC Ale Trail<\/b><\/h3>\n

Breweries across the province are marking International Women\u2019s Day with collaboration, creativity, and community impact.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kootenay Rockies<\/h4>\n

\u2022 Fernie Brewing Co.<\/a> will be tapping a Light Scottish Ale in celebration of the women shaping the brewery every day.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lower Mainland & Fraser Valley<\/h4>\n

\u2022 Farm Country Brewing<\/a> hosts a March 8 tap takeover featuring beers all<\/span> brewed by the talented women and non-binary members of Langley\u2019s craft beer community. Vote for your favourite to crown the Pink Boots Trophy winner. <\/span>
\n<\/span>Here is the list:<\/span><\/p>\n