Vine Street Brewing hosted its Second Annual “Women in Beer” event in late March 2025 with an all-star roster of guests. Several women shaping the beer industry in Kansas City, Missouri, and nationally participated in a panel discussion. They shared their entry point into the beer industry, experiences, insights, and advice for other women in the beer industry.
The role of women in the beer industry will be a vital chapter in my book about Missouri beer history, Barons, Brewers, and Bootleggers: A Social History of Beer in Missouri. Attending this event and chatting with the panelists over the weekend reinforced key messages and perspectives that will influence this chapter.
Kudos to Vine Street Brewing co-owner and business development manager Annie McGinnis who organized the event and served as the panel host. Seeing and hearing these women discuss their professional experience from different vantage points and celebrate each other was enlightening and powerful. An array of guests showed up to listen, cheer, and support their ongoing work. Afterword, the panelists and a few guests (including yours truly) participated in a bottle share because beer is social after all.
Let’s dive into a few excerpts and observations from the panel discussion.
Ashlie Randolph is president of Pink Boots Society, co-founder of Lifting Lucy, and active in numerous other roles in the craft beer industry. She’s earned her credentials, expertise and insights, using her platform to advance opportunities for women in fermentation (brewing, winemaking and distilling) and the service side of the industry.
She flew from Las Vegas to Kansas City to participate in the panel discussion. It was a pleasure to meet Ashlie and learn from her perspective. She’s an advocate for others like herself who didn’t take a traditional pathway into the industry.
Working her way into the industry and her current roles through an unconventional path was the “sweetest revenge” given that she was “not welcomed into the beer industry.”
That experience is common for women and people of color, both minorities in a male-dominated industry. That’s frustrating and unjust since women have been instrumental in brewing beer throughout most of human history, as author Tara Nurin detailed in her book A Woman’s Place Is in the Brewhouse: A Forgotten History of Alewives, Brewsters, Witches, and CEOs.
According to 2019 data released by the Brewers Association, 23.7 percent of breweries in the US have women co-founders but only 2.9 percent of breweries are founded solely by women. Women brewers represent between 4-7.5 percent of the industry. Female representation among craft brewery employees grows to around 37 percent in less powerful “non-production, non-service” staff roles. Minority ownership and employment in craft beer industry remains in the low single digits.
These statistics underscore the need for organizations like Pink Boots Society, and breweries themselves, to encourage and provide support for education, advancement, and representation in the beer industry.
“Pink Boots Society isn’t just for brewing. It includes women in sales, marketing, business development, and other fields in the industry,” said Ashlie.
Through Pink Boots Society and other initiatives, Ashlie invests time and energy into “meeting industry needs that are not being met.”
In terms of getting started, Ashlie’s advice? Go for it. “Write the cover letter. Show your passion. You’re never ‘just’ anything. You’re everything.”
Sherry Wohlgemuth is the executive director of the Missouri Craft Brewers Guild. The Guild represents more than 100 craft breweries in the state. It advocates for fair and rational laws and regulations at the federal and state level to help craft breweries compete in the market and to promote their interests.
She remains optimistic and enthusiastic about the future of craft beer. “There’s something for everyone as far as styles, plus non-alcohol and low-alcohol,” said Sherry.
During the panel discussion, Sherry spoke on the macroeconomic forces that have impacted breweries in recent years. Breweries pivoted during the pandemic and scrambled as tariffs and trade wars with Canada impact prices and supplies for aluminum cans and barley.
“Small brewers are hit hardest because they have a low inventory of cans. No room for storage. Major breweries have long-term grain contracts for barley [that lock in prices]. Small breweries operate on thin margins.”
Joleen Senter Durham, co-founder of Piney River Brewing in the Ozarks and former executive director of the Guild, commented on this issue via Instagram.
“Our aluminum is American-made, but our American sources won’t lock in a price. Pricing is based on the market when the cans arrive, so they can make money on U.S. cans even though there’s no tariff. Same goes for steel in the U.S. American-made raw materials go up to be the same price as foreign raw materials with a tariff on them,” said Joleen.
“It’s a money grab for those big businesses, and small businesses take the first hit, then consumers. The only people that really pay are the small businesses and the consumers. It’s also important to note that aluminum still had a tariff on it from the first Trump term. It was not removed when his first term ended. A truckload of printed cans before the new tariffs was about $25,000. It’s scary times for all small manufacturers (again). Now, more than ever, is an important time to remember to drink local and shop small whenever you can,” elaborated Joleen.
Overall, shifts in costs and uncertain conditions with trade and future consumer spending make it more challenging for small breweries, often owned and operated by an entrepreneur or family, to compete and survive as profit margin shrinks.
On a more personal level, Sherry focuses on “connecting and helping people. We need to make space and help others get into the industry.”
Annie McGinnis is the co-owner and business development manager of Vine Street Brewing and newly elected board member of the National Black Brewers Association. She has over 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry.
In 2021, she seized the opportunity to join Vine Street Brewing and continues to put her stamp on craft brewing in Kansas City, across the industry and the nation. She builds community, creates events that foster learning and connections, and demonstrates leadership among her peers.
Annie acknowledged that she had “a lot of mentors all the way” during her journey in the beer industry and hospitality industry.”
Those mentors and support from other people like her made a difference. Representation matters, yet another reason why organizations like Pink Boots Society are key to attracting and uplifting the new generation of women in the industry. Mentorship, scholarships, connections, and mutual support make a positive difference.
More of Annie’s story and perspective will be found in the chapter of my book about Vine Street Brewing.
A hurricane in Florida brought Christie Jackson to Kansas City. Craft beer inspired her to stay. She evacuated from Florida in 2017 in advance of Hurricane Irma, avoiding a Category 4 storm that ravaged the state. She spent two days trying to secure a flight anywhere out of Fort Lauderdale and finally landed in Kansas City. Meanwhile, she visited breweries about town, grew fond of the area, and learned of an opportunity at Transport Brewery opening in Shawnee, Kansas.
In short order, Christie became the operations manager at Transport Brewery. She also led as part of the management team when the brewery opened a second location in Gardner, Kansas. Christie brought a wealth of alcohol industry experience, a “try and stop me” determination, and relentless drive to get things done. Her experience ranges from bartender to distribution to events to marketing and general management.
“I loved a good challenge,” she said. “I don’t like being told no”
As a natural leader, Christie “encourages other women to be in leadership roles.” Along with the brewery’s ownership, Christie had led the brewery through the pandemic, local regulatory roadblocks that were changed, and the launch of a new operation.
“I’ve learned from people in breweries in different cities and countries. I’ve learned about process improvement.”
In a separate interview years ago, Christie once said, ““I moved here and didn’t know a single person. I just went for it. A lot of people doubted me. I think believing in yourself and working hard is one of the best gifts in life you can give yourself. I have adapted many times, and a lot of that was learning lessons after failing. We have a community of people that have supported us when Transport was just a thought, and made sure we weren’t going anywhere during rough times. I work for great owners who have supported my career and decisions while respecting me and helping me grow each step of the way.”
Melissa Buck is another transplant who found herself settling in Kansas City eighteen months ago. She’s worked in several cities across the U.S. as a marketing consultant and marketing manager for breweries. Melissa is also the co-leader of Pink Boots Society – Kansas City chapter along with Jessica Bloom.
“I’m passionate about building communities. All roles are important in the beer industry – marketing, sales, leadership, and brewing,” said Melissa.
Leading and being a member of the local Pink Boots chapter provides a built-in sense of community, one that she’s sought out in other cities where she’s lived and worked. “Pink Boots is important as someone being in the industry, being involved and feeling represented.”
Her rallying cry to the audience and women in the industry: “Take up space that we deserve.”
As noted, Jessica Bloom is the co-leader of Pink Boots Society – Kansas City. Craft beer fans might also recognize Jessica from her work as manager at Border Brewing and her current roles as assistant brewer and lead bartender at River Bluff Brewing in Kansas City’s River Market.
“Joining Pink Boots Society led me into a space I wanted to be in. I love the science of brewing, and now I can learn and expand on what I know,” said Jessica.
Jessica has co-led the local Pink Boots chapter since 2021. At the time, Jenna Munoz, another veteran beer industry professional, served as co-lead. Jessica, Jenna, and other chapter members participated in a 2021 Pink Boots Society Collaboration Brew Day for International Women’s Day.
“Following our brew day, Jenna and I were invited to speak about Pink Boots at Boulevard Brewing Company for a company-wide presentation on women in the brewing industry,” Bloom says. “It was a great experience meeting so many women from Boulevard and being able to educate others in the brewing industry about Pink Boots and what we do,” said Jessica in an interview from that time.
Since then, Jessica reflected on her time in the industry while addressing the panel discussion’s audience. “I have learned so much. Pink Boots has helped me in my role as an assistant brewer at River Bluff because of what I have learned.”
Like her peers, Jessica encourages women to get involved with the mentorship program at Pink Boots for professional development.
Chandler Hottenstein is the general manager of Cinder Block Brewery in North Kansas City. She cited her grandmother Becky, who owned a bar and grill in southeast Kansas, as a mentor and influence. Chandler’s grandmother and mother were strong role models in her life.
Chandler began working at Cinder Block as a bartender and gradually worked into a management role. Her prior experience working at a brewery in Lawrence, Kansas, taught her a lot about the fundamentals of hospitality, craft beer, and dealing with limitations out of her control. Despite her drive to market and promote new ideas, that initiative was largely stifled.
At Cinder Block, she leads a talented team that’s creative, engaging, and community-focused in tight-knit North Kansas City. As one of the first new craft breweries to open in Greater Kansas City during the 2010 wave of brewery launches, much has changed since that heyday.
Earlier in the panel discussion, Sherry Wohlgemuth noted how the craft beer market has matured. Nationally and locally, breweries face far more competition within their industry as new breweries, brewpubs, and taprooms have sprung up. Other alcohol segments and CBD/THC products are also chasing and siphoning away consumer dollars.
Chandler observed, “People aren’t spending money on alcohol. They are spending money on experiences.”
Accordingly, over the years Cinder Block has relied less on its beer releases to draw customers. Devoted fans and regulars still turn out for popular flagships, seasonal beers, and new releases. Beer alone isn’t enough to generate the volume of traffic compared to 10 to 15 years ago. Instead, the taproom, event space, and patio has evolved to be a spatial canvas for an array of events.
“You have to offer active experiences – throwback games, food trucks, music, pop-up vendors, and more, often on the same day,” said Chandler.
The brewery acquired the building next door and will launch The Commons as a sister venue for gaming, craft beer, and a full kitchen. Cinder Block is fully leaning into the experiential strategy.
That something for everyone approach applies both to the slate of experiences and the menu of beverages available at Cinder Block. The brewery was one of the area’s first to intentionally and regularly feature house ciders as part of its product line. Guests can find other non-beer beverages so no one in a group feels left out.
Lastly, Chandler offered a shout-out to her co-workers Emily and Angela, who have grown into expanded roles at the brewery. She said, “They’re always willing to go above and beyond.”
The afternoon wound down with a bottle share at Vine Street Brewing, more photos, farewells, and possibilities for future collaborations.
As panelists and guests began to head their separate ways, the words of Christie Jackson from Transport Brewery felt like a call-to-arms for women considering work and those ready to advance in some facet of the beer, wine, and spirits industry.
“Break the rules. Go for it. Fuck it. The result after you do is so much better. I started with a five-year plan to start and see if I could grow Transport. Know your worth. Know who are are and go for it.”
