On International Women’s Day every year, the voices and stories of women across the world are celebrated, as we address the issues that cause gender inequality and diversity. But despite these issues remaining, such voices and stories take a backseat once the day is done.
We think it’s worth doing the opposite and actively challenging the issues that create these gaps in our industry. So, we’ve launched this weekly series, Wednesday Women, where we’ll profile the stories of the inspiring women in this great and wide industry.
Today we speak with Emma Locke, General Manager of West Australian brewery Beerfarm, and recent winner of the Rising Star Award at the 2024 Beer & Brewer Awards, an accomplishment which she is humbled by, and that she puts down to being a passionate advocate for the industry.
“I never would have even considered that I could win this award, so knowing that I was nominated by my peers within our industry was the biggest compliment I could imagine. Especially to be nominated alongside so many talented and dedicated people,” Locke told The Shout.
“I try to be as active as I can within our industry, so I attend and support as many events, festivals, seminars and conferences as I can, which I am so lucky that Beerfarm are incredibly supportive of.”
Beyond her industry advocacy, judges for the Beer & Brewer Awards praised Locke for her involvement in the Pink Boots Society, an organisation committed to empowering and educating women beer professionals.
“I realised many years ago now that a non-negotiable in my career moving forward is to work with a not-for-profit organisation that I am passionate about in a volunteer role. Even just this year, Pink Boots have been able to provide $20,000 in scholarships for our members, and in collaboration with Women in Hospitality (WoHo) have facilitated a mentorship program for 16 mentors and 16 mentees.
“Seeing firsthand the impact that providing opportunities such as our leadership scholarships, mentorship or pathway to beer judging programs can have on our members’ careers is so rewarding. This industry and the people in it have given me so much, so I am committed to spending any time I can giving back just as much,” she says.
Describing the nature of the Pink Boots Society, Locke says: “We make, create, own businesses, write, design, serve, market and sell within our chosen industries, and we are all women, non-binary and gender non-conforming.
“Most importantly, we share our experience and knowledge with fellow members through online training, brew days, sensory training, seminar programs and industry panels. We also raise money for educational opportunities, such as scholarships, to support members in advancing their careers.”
Now in her fourth year on the Pink Boots Society Australia Board, Locke says it is without a doubt the best thing she has been involved in, but she also aspires for the industry to reach a place where gender-based organisations are no longer needed.
“We are a long way off from that so in the meantime, I hope to bring as many opportunities to the women+ in beer as possible and do everything in my power to shape our industry in a positive way to be a place where women+ can thrive.
“We have some incredibly talented people within our industry that are unable to see a pathway forwards, and that’s why I am so passionate about initiatives such as scholarships and mentorships, I have witnessed firsthand the impact that both of these can have on someone’s career,” she added.
Carving out a community
When Locke isn’t tied up with her volunteering commitments, she also oversees the production and hospitality arms of Beerfarm as General Manager, which she describes as her dream job.
“What do I love about my job? The list is endless. The creativity I see within our team every day. The community that I feel around me at every event. The endless collaboration opportunities. That no two days will ever be the same and that I learn something new every single day. We have a phenomenal team out at the farm – a team that lifts each other up, each and every day. I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today without them,” she says.
Having worked in the craft beer industry on-and-off since she was 18, starting in a real ale pub in her hometown before “trying every hospitality style under the sun” and eventually landing in Margaret River, Locke truly loves beer hospitality and the people in it.
“It is my firm belief that everyone should work in hospitality at some point in their life. Before getting behind a bar, I was a shy, awkward 18 year old – hospitality forces you out of your comfort zone and gives you the ability to speak to anyone about anything,” Locke explains.
“The industry at the moment is tough to negotiate, that won’t be news to anyone, but I still feel that I have a lot to contribute. I am still so passionate about the experiences and connections that we are able to create through beer and I also still have so much to learn.”
Looking ahead, Locke hopes to continue developing her technical and sensory knowledge to support her production team at Beerfarm, and she is continually working on her understanding of ESG to proactively manage the brewery’s impact on both its people and the planet.
“I think the bottom line really is that this industry, for me, will always be about the people. In so many other industries, competition comes before community and to be honest, I struggle to see a future where I would want to move away from such a supportive and collaborative industry,” she concluded.