Copper Brewing creates violet-coloured beer to support women in need, ahead of International Women's Day

Kelowna’s Copper Brewing has created a violet-coloured beer to benefit local women in need, ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8.

“The brewing industry is looked at as a very male-dominant industry. So we thought it would be important and empowering for the women of the brewery to get together, grow this beer together and showcase women in beer,” says taproom manager Jess Kozak.

“For every four-pack and sleeve sold, a dollar will be donated to HOPE Outreach. We thought it was important to find a local organization that gives back to exploited women.”

HOPE Outreach provides support for women experiencing homelessness, addiction and exploitation in Kelowna and Vernon.

Kozak is the mastermind for the new beer called Butterfly Pea Blossom Pale Ale.

“Last year, I home brewed a beer using butterfly pea flower that actually turned the beer dark purple and I thought it would be a great fit for a Women’s Day beer and an opportunity to give back to the community,” she says.

Butterfly pea flower petals turn deep blue when steeped, however the PH balance of the beer transforms it into a deep indigo, similar to the colour used by the International Women’s Day foundation.

“It’s really interesting because the deep indigo colour makes you think that it might be heavy or fruity, but actually it’s a really light pale ale. Very florally, a little bit of light tea and it’s only 4.8 per cent, so it’s a really sessionable beer,” says Kozak.

Kozak and her team were busy canning the beer on Monday which will be available on tap and by the can this Friday. You can purchase individual cans and four-packs from Copper Brewing and the four-packs will also be available at select liquor stores.

If you’re looking at a can of the beer, you’ll notice a picture of a Bernese Mountain Dog named Porter.

“He’s our current mascot for Copper Brewing. Copper Brewing is actually named after one of the owner’s original Bernese Mountain Dogs. Unfortunately, Copper passed away a few months before the brewery opened but now we’re blessed with Porter,” says Kozak.

Copper Brewing opens at 12 p.m. daily and is located at 102 1851 Kirschner Road.