Coastal Breeze is a classic West Coast IPA using the Pink Boots hop blend that will help with women's safety and education.

A team of Kwantlen Polytechnic University鈥檚 (KPU) female brewers is releasing this collaboration beer in celebration of Pink Boots Collaboration Brew Day.

This annual event, which coincides with International Women鈥檚 Day on March 8, is organized by the Pink Boots Society to recognize women and non-binary individuals working in the brewing industry.

Brewing instructor Olga Mikova and KPU alum Emily Kokonas led a group of first-year female KPU Brewing students in crafting the beer along with legendary KPU brewing instructor Nancy More, who was one of the first female brewmasters in North America.

鈥淧articipating in the Pink Boots Collaboration Brew Day is an empowering experience for all of us,鈥� said Mikova. 鈥淔or our students, it鈥檚 an opportunity to gain hands-on experience, build confidence, make connections in the industry and understand the value of collaboration. By brewing together, we create more than just a beer 鈥� we create an environment where learning, creativity and support thrive.鈥�

Coastal Breeze will be available for public sales Friday, March 7, from 1 to 6 p.m. at the KPU Brew Lab, 20901 91原创 Bypass, 91原创. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Pink Boots Society of Canada鈥檚 scholarship and education fund.

On Saturday, March 8, the beer will be available at Farm Country Brewing in 91原创, B.C. for its International Women鈥檚 Day Tap Takeover event. Proceeds from beer sales will go towards the Ishtar Women鈥檚 Resource Society and the Pink Boots Society of Canada.

"The annual Pink Boots Brew is a fantastic opportunity for our students and program as a whole,鈥� said Dominic Bernard, KPU Brewing instructor and program chair. 鈥淭his international event and movement connects our budding brewers with a global network of women in the industry, offering them invaluable insights, mentorship and hands-on experience.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a tradition we鈥檙e proud to be part of, and it enriches the students鈥� academic journey as well as their professional connections and community.鈥�

KPU鈥檚 Diploma in Brewing and Brewery Operations is a two-year program in which students learn the science, production and business of brewing craft beer. To learn more about the program based at the 91原创 campus, people can sign up for an information session with instructor and alum Gonzalo Marques on March 5. Go to kpu.ca/brew.

KPU was the first Canadian institution to be recognized by the Master Brewers Association for a standard of excellence in brewing education for its Brewing and Brewery Operations program. KPU Brewing placed second overall in the 2024 US Open College Beer Championship, where it was also named a Top Teaching Brewery in North America.