CINCINNATI -- Listermann Brewing Co. wants you to raise a glass to strong women.
On March 8, International Women's Day, Listermann will release a special limited-edition beer inspired by and celebrating the strong women of Cincinnati. Riveting Rosie, a hibiscus rose-hipped saison, will be tapped with a party, complete with food trucks, live music from local band Coconut Milk, and raffles.
Skinny Pig Kombucha also will release a Riveting Rosie hibiscus tea-blend kombucha.
Each business will donate a portion of proceeds from the event to women's charities in Cincinnati.
Listermann is supporting Women Helping Women, while Skinny Pig will donate to YWCA of Greater Cincinnati, and both are encouraging bars, retailers and restaurants selling the drinks to choose other charities to support.
One bar, Overlook Lodge in Pleasant Ridge, will have its own event March 15 to keep the celebration and support of women going. That evening will support Girls with Pearls, a leadership program for middle school girls. Middle West Spirits, a Columbus distillery whose Vim & Petal Gin will be used to create a special cocktail for the evening, has committed to match all donations raised.
"Craft beer is so important to Cincinnati, and the women involved aren't always visible. But these women are committed and they're good ambassadors for Cincinnati and the culture," said Rachel Moore, Southern Ohio sales manager for Middle West Spirits. "We were excited to support this."
The idea for a celebration of women began in the gym. Karenna Brockman, Listermann's taproom manager, was at FitWorks in Norwood and saw a female firefighter in full gear working out.
"I'm a woman who works out so I can do my job, too. It was so inspiring to me, and very relatable," Brockman said. "I thought, 'How can I celebrate strong women?' and it became the inspiration for my first commercial beer."
Karenna Brockman, Listermann's taproom manager, came up with the idea for the Riveting Rosie event and a celebration of women while working out at the gym.
The 26-year-old always has worked in the male-dominated beer industry and works out in part so she can move kegs on her own. For her first beer outside of home brewing, Brockman picked a seasonal saison -- floral and perfect for spring -- and added hibiscus for tartness.
The beer is named for the iconic strong woman of World War II, with a logo designed by White Whale Tattoos.
But Brockman didn't want to leave the appreciation of strong women just to Listermann. She shared her idea with a group of women in the service industry who meet a couple times a month. That's how Overlook Lodge and Skinny Pig Kombucha came on board.
"I wanted to create a chain reaction of women's events," Brockman said. "My whole goal is to shed light on the many women's charities in Cincinnati."
Look for details about the Riveting Rosie event and others on Listermann's Facebook page.
