Murphy and Son is excited to announce their collaboration with female brewing scientists from the University of Nottingham and Blue Monkey Brewery to unveil a visually striking pink beer, ‘Viva La Frida.’
This initiative celebrates the achievements of women in the brewing industry and aims to raise awareness about the challenges they continue to face.
Inspired by the vibrant creativity of Frida Kahlo, this Belgian Wheat beer (4.5% ABV) is infused with coriander, orange zest, and hibiscus, creating a delightful pink hue. We are thrilled to launch this special brew on International Women’s Day, March 8th, encouraging women to explore brewing as a fulfilling and enjoyable career path. A total of 1,000 cans will be sold across Nottingham venues, including the Orchard Hotel, EMCC, and Jubilee Conference Centre, while Blue Monkey will offer 500 additional cans and tour the kegs at beer festivals across the UK. Plus, £1 from every sale of Viva La Frida will be donated to Juno Women’s Aid, supporting those affected by domestic abuse.
Recent statistics from the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) reveal that only 30% of brewery employees are women, and this number drops to a stark 3% in brewing roles. In light of this, PhD brewing science students Christabel Smith and Giulia Roselli, along with Aline Brito from Murphy and Son, took the initiative to create this remarkable beer, highlighting the need for greater female representation in the industry.
Christabel, Giulia, and Aline shared, “The original brewers were women, and we wanted to celebrate this history while emphasizing the need for more female brewers. Through collaboration with Murphy & Son and Blue Monkey, we crafted a beer that embodies the spirit of inclusivity and creativity.”
Ian Wesley, Commercial Director at Blue Monkey Brewery, expressed his pride in participating in this project, emphasizing the importance of supporting women in the brewing field. With our expanded partnership with the University of Nottingham’s International Centre for Brewing Science, we are committed to fostering opportunities for women in brewing through education and career development. Raise a glass with us to celebrate women in brewing this International Women’s Day with ‘Viva La Frida’!
