Meet Rachel Benkowski | Co-Founder of the Beer Babes Family

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rachel Benkowski and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rachel, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Throughout history, women were the original brewers, crafting beer as a domestic task alongside baking bread and raising children. However, with the Industrial Revolution and the increasing profitability of brewing, the industry shifted predominantly to male hands. Thankfully, the outdated stereotype of beer as a “man’s drink” is steadily fading in modern society (thank goodness). Inspired by this cultural shift, the Beer Babes Family was founded to empower women in reclaiming their place in the beer industry, providing support to grow their beer businesses. Established in 2020 by seasoned beer professionals Rachel Benkowski and Roxy Brossoit, the Beer Babes Family is dedicated to supporting women in beer.

What should our readers know about your business?
The Beer Babes Family™ is a charitable organization in the USA and Canada. We are also an online community, and a no tolerance for online bullying platform. We strive to support and positively engage all women in the beer community. This includes the casual beer drinkers to the highest level of brewers, Cicerones and Beer Judges.

We work with breweries throughout North America to brew Babe Brew™. Funds raised from a portion of the sales of Babe Brew is collected and awarded in the form of grants. Grants are awarded to women who work in the beer industry who are trying to improve their beer business. Babe Brew™ is a series of beer dedicated to the women of our personal lives and of the world: who inspire us, push us, make us think deeper, mentor us and lead by example. To the women who break rules and norms, speak their truth with compassion, live each day with unapologetic confidence, and champion equality for all.

Over the last 20 years, women have made significant strides in reclaiming their role in the beer industry, challenging a long-standing male-dominated narrative. The craft beer boom of the early 2000s opened doors for female entrepreneurs, brewers, and beer enthusiasts to establish themselves in a space that had largely excluded them for decades. Despite these advances, women still face barriers in the form of gender bias, underrepresentation, and a lack of visibility in brewing. Retaking their place is not just a nod to historical roots—where women were once the primary brewers—but a step toward a more inclusive and innovative industry. Women’s diverse perspectives contribute to creativity in beer styles, branding, and community engagement, while breaking down stereotypes about who beer is “for.” Supporting women in beer ensures a richer, more equitable future for the craft, honoring its origins while fostering its evolution.

Community is the heartbeat of the Beer Babes Family, playing a crucial role in its growth and sustainability. At its core, beer has always been a social drink, bringing people together to share experiences, celebrate milestones, and forge connections. For the Beer Babes Family, the support of our local and extended communities is essential for our success. No matter where we have a Babe Brew release, we have friends there to greet us. Ultimately, the Beer Babes Family thrives when it’s deeply connected to the people it serves. A strong community not only helps us grow, but also ensures that our community remains dynamic, welcoming, and resilient.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am obviously going to tell you to visit the breweries that have supported us in the past: Catfish Brewing and Crazy Gnome Brewery.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Two groups deserve our deepest gratitude: the breweries that partner with us and the incredible community that supports our mission. These are the people who not only believe in what we stand for but also show up to help brew and enjoy the beer created for our cause. Our primary fundraising comes from brewing collaborative beers with breweries across North America. Without the generosity of these amazing brewery partners and the enthusiasm of our community to drink the beer and share our story, none of the work we do would be possible.

Website: https://www.beerbabesfamily.com

Instagram: beerbabesfamily