New women's beer event to be launched in Harrogate

Women On Tap Beer Festival will celebrate the women who brew beer, the women who write about it, the women who drink it, the women who work in the industry, the women who want to learn more about it…and their friends and partners.Taking place at The Little Ale House, the first-ever WoTFest will run from May 19 to May 21 and will present a selection of beers made by local female brewers - or 'Brewsters'. Talks are currently underway with a number of local breweries including Mallinsons and Baildon, who are already on board, with more in the pipeline. In addition to a female-led quality beer selection, the plan is that the festival programme will comprise a talk, a tasting, live music, and an art exhibition – all by female experts and talented creative women.Festival founder Rachel Auty said: "The Little Ale House was an obvious choice for this WoTFest debut."Richard and Danni have quickly created a lovely welcoming space and a reputation for great beer, right at the heart of the town. They are more of a WoTFest partner than just a venue." Among the guest speakers already confirmed for the new event is Melissa Cole, the award–winning beer and food writer, sommALEier, Certified Cicerone®, and author of www.letmetellyouaboutbeer.co.ukThe inspiration for the festival came from the growing movement to end the traditional male slant to beer and the beer industry.Rachel said: "There has been talk in recent times of how to get more women 'in to' beer. Rather than doing that why not simply highlight and celebrate the leadership, innovation, and expertise that women in the beer industry are demonstrating on a daily basis? "WoTFest is designed to do just that, with a focus on Yorkshire. I hope that this will become a popular and well-respected annual event."Women On Tap Beer Festival (WOT Fest) will run The Little Ale House, Cheltenham Crescent, Harrogate on the weekend of May 19,For more information, visit www.facebook.com/WoTFest