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For decades, beer in South Africa was branded as a man’s drink, produced and traded in a man’s world. That image is being dismantled - one brew, one business, and one breakthrough at a time. Women across the value chain are changing the industry’s face and future, bringing innovation, resilience, and a distinctly collaborative style of leadership.

This Women’s Month, the Beer Association of South Africa (BASA) profiles three remarkable women - brewer Megan Gemel, township distributor Pulane Koster, and Heineken South Africa Quality Manager Makgosi Booysen - who are challenging stereotypes and proving that beer’s future is female too.

From Kitchen Experiments to Industry Advocate
Megan’s journey began at home, brewing small batches for friends. Curiosity became craft, and craft became career. Today, she is an award-winning brewer, educator, and advocate for inclusivity in the sector.

“Earning respect through passion and knowledge has been key,” she says. Her work champions traditional African brewing methods, promotes local ingredients, and encourages more women to step into the industry.

Driving Township Transformation
For Pulane, beer was never just a beverage - it was a cultural and economic force in her community. Fascinated by the value chain, she started in operations and rose into leadership, driving transformation initiatives that empower women-led distributors and marketers in rural areas.

“Being a woman, black, and from a previously disadvantaged background meant I had to work twice as hard to be seen and heard,” she reflects. Now she is committed to opening doors for others. “Women bring a leadership style rooted in collaboration, empathy and shared growth. That’s what transforms industries.”

Guarding Quality, Inspiring Future Scientists
Makgosi’s path into beer was unexpected. Initially drawn to pharmaceuticals, she discovered brewing through biochemistry studies and went on to join Heineken’s traineeship programme. She became the first black female trainee at her brewery - an experience that taught her the weight of representation.

Now, as a Quality Manager, her mission is clear: ensuring every beer delivers on its promise. “What keeps me awake at night is knowing our products must not only appeal on the shelf but deliver the taste and quality our consumers expect.”

Her success, she adds, is built on the mentorship of women like Phindi Mthambana and Apiwe Nxusani-Mawela, whose unapologetic advocacy for women in beer continues to inspire her.

The Power of Mentorship and Community
All three women highlight mentorship as vital to progress. Megan credits Andrea Jennings for inspiring her career, while Pulane draws strength from township women entrepreneurs. For Makgosi, mentorship “keeps you grounded and helps you push through moments when giving up seems easier.”

Their collective stories show how women’s networks are building the next generation of brewers, traders, and leaders.

Innovation Beyond the Brewery
What unites these trailblazers is innovation. Megan experiments with heritage ingredients, Pulane drives community-based marketing and sustainable packaging, and Makgosi links science to consumer experience. Beyond individual achievements, their work supports local economies, creates jobs, and challenges outdated perceptions.

Why Diversity Matters
BASA CEO Charlene Louw puts it plainly:
“The beer industry is richer, more innovative and more sustainable when women are part of its leadership and value chain. Stories like Megan’s, Pulane’s and Makgosi’s prove that diversity is not a nice-to-have, it’s essential for growth.”
BASA continues to create platforms - through competitions, education initiatives, and advocacy - that ensure women are not just participants but shapers of the sector.

Raising a Glass to the Future
These women are proof that South Africa’s beer industry is undergoing a profound shift. They’ve overcome barriers, reshaped narratives, and built careers that will inspire others to follow.

Their message to young women looking at the industry? Know your worth. Back yourself. Find your community.

Because when women are given a seat at the table - or the brew kettle - everyone’s glass is a little fuller.