REGINA — Before sunrise on March 8, the kettles will start to steam inside the brewery at Rebellion Brewing Company. Grain will pour, hops will bloom in the air, and a crowd of people will gather around the tanks.
But the most important ingredient of the day will not be in the recipe.
It will be the people.
This Sunday marks the 10th annual International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day at Rebellion Brewing, a milestone celebration tied to International Women's Day and a global movement recognizing women in the brewing industry. Over the past decade, the Regina brewery’s event has grown from a small gathering into a community tradition that has raised more than $50,000 for charities supporting women across Saskatchewan.
“This is a huge milestone,” said Vanessa Owen, brewmaster and brewery manager at Rebellion. “It’s inspiring to see how much this celebration has grown over the years. We love welcoming people into the brewery to spend time together and be part of this global movement.”
A global movement, brewed locally
International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day is held each year around March 8, bringing breweries together across the world to highlight women’s contributions to an industry where they remain significantly underrepresented.
That reality is especially visible on the production side of brewing.
Mark Heise, president and CEO of Rebellion Brewing, says the day is about shining a spotlight on women who are reshaping the craft.
“Women are hugely underrepresented in the brewing industry, particularly on the production side where the beer is actually made,” Heise said. “We’re fortunate at Rebellion that we have two female brewers on our team, and we believe they’re the only two female brewers in Saskatchewan. We’re incredibly proud of that and we love celebrating it every year.”
The celebration begins early. Brewing starts at 7 a.m. and runs until about 2 p.m., with members of the public invited to step inside the brewery, learn the process and take part in the hands-on experience.
If the early start feels ambitious, the festivities continue long after the brewing is done. The taproom remains open into the evening, with brewery tours, educational sessions about hops and beer pairings, and plenty of opportunities to raise a glass.
“It’s a really fun day,” Heise said. “Anyone who’s interested in learning more about brewing or celebrating International Women’s Day can come out, participate in the brewing session, try the new beer and just be part of it.”
A beer with a purpose
This year’s celebration introduces Lilith Lager, a limited-release beer brewed specifically for the occasion.
Bright and crisp at 4.8 per cent ABV, the modern lager carries notes of tropical stone fruit, citrus and soft white grape aromatics, designed to feel like the first taste of spring.
But Lilith Lager is more than a seasonal brew.
It is also a fundraiser.
Every pint sold throughout March will support YWCA Regina and YWCA Saskatoon, two organizations that provide shelter, advocacy, and programs supporting women and families.
The beer will be available at Rebellion’s Regina taproom, its newly opened Saskatoon location, and at every Leopold's Tavern and Victoria's Tavern across the province. Each location will donate $1 from every pint sold during the month.
Cassidy Clement, beverage development coordinator for Leo’s Group, said the collaboration is about turning celebration into real impact.
“Launching this collaboration highlights the importance of recognizing women’s contributions and continuing the push for equity in our communities and industry,” Clement said. “With a donation from every pint sold supporting YWCA Regina and YWCA Saskatoon, this initiative turns celebration into meaningful, local impact.”
The YWCA organizations say the partnership reflects the power of local businesses working together.
“We are incredibly grateful to Rebellion Brewing and the Leo’s Group for choosing to support YWCA Regina through their International Women’s Day brew,” said Melissa Coomber-Bendtsen, CEO of YWCA Regina. “The spirit behind Lilith Lager celebrating empowerment, equity, creativity and the strength of women aligns deeply with our values.”
Carla Huntington, vice-president of development and engagement for YWCA Saskatoon, said the collaboration strengthens communities.
“Every pint poured helps support programs that provide safety, stability and opportunity for women and families in Saskatoon,” she said.
A decade of impact
What started as a small celebration has grown into something much larger.
Heise said he was surprised when his team recently calculated just how much the annual brew day has accomplished.
“When Vanessa tallied up the numbers, we realized we’ve donated more than fifty thousand dollars to women-focused charities across Saskatchewan over the past ten years,” he said. “That’s something we’re really proud of.”
This year’s event also expands beyond Regina for the first time, with celebrations happening simultaneously at Rebellion’s new Saskatoon taproom at Gather Local Market.
The Saskatoon gathering will feature hop sensory stations, beer sampling and special food pairings, giving visitors the same chance to learn and celebrate even though the brewing itself will remain in Regina.
“It’s pretty fantastic to see other organizations want to get involved in something that started here ten years ago,” Heise said. “The teams at Vic’s and Leo’s even helped us develop the beer recipe and choose the hops. Their female staff came out and brewed with us. It’s truly collaborative.”
Brewing a more inclusive future
The event is also closely tied to Rebellion’s Beer Club, an initiative that creates an inclusive space for people who have felt underrepresented in the beer community.
The group hosts monthly gatherings throughout the fall and winter, offering educational sessions, collaborative brewing opportunities and themed events that build confidence and connection within the industry.
For Owen and her team, the annual brew day represents everything Beer Club stands for.
Connection. Education. Opportunity.
And most of all, celebration.
As the kettles fire up Sunday morning and the aroma of malt drifts through the brewery, people will gather to share stories, raise glasses and take part in something larger than themselves.
One batch of beer at a time, they will be brewing something that lasts far longer than the foam on a pint.
They will be brewing change.
