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Amy Cartwright: Austin Brewer Gives Beer the Benefit of a Woman's Know-How By Amy E. Lemen Ever sat on your porch enjoying a cold beer and thought, "Boy, it'd be cool to own a brewery?"
Well, Amy and Rob Cartwright did - and made it a reality with Austin's Independence Brewing Company. After spending several years trying to get financing and then buying equipment from a closed brewpub, the couple opened the brewery in October, and things have been "hopping" there ever since. Its offerings include Freestyle Wheat Beer, Independence Pale Ale and the popular Bootlegger Brown Ale, which is available for quaffing at many local bars, including The Dog & Duck Pub, Nasty's, and a host of other Austin hot spots. A bottling machine just purchased will enable the brewery to bottle and sell the beer in longnecks; right now it's only available in kegs for local bars to sell on draft. Cartwright serves as the president of Independence and handles marketing for the brewery. Husband Rob, the former brewmaster at Austin's Copper Tank, is chief brewer.
Cartwright, whose background is in communications and Web development, says it's been interesting being "the only woman in the room" at brewing industry events. An example she cites: At a conference in New Orleans, when Cartwright really was the only woman in the room, someone asked a question about how to make beer more appealing to women. "They obviously didn't see me, but the mentality was that they had to make something special or weaker for women," she says. "But that's not what we want. There are definitely challenges and opportunities being a female brewer." One of those opportunities, Cartwright says, has been in marketing Independence beer. She is very involved in the image of the beer, including the artwork for its labels. She chose a woman artist, Carolyn Moore of Chemistry Set Design, and the art for the brewery's Texas Pale Ale. It features a woman, fist thrust triumphantly in the air, lighting a cannon. The tagline? "Take a Stand." "I wanted the idea of a Texas Lady Liberty that also reflected the important battles and events like the Alamo and Texas Independence Day," Cartwright says. "Independence is something Texans celebrate, and we were able to work that into the label."
Cartwright says she is happy to see that more women are in leadership positions at microbreweries like Independence and draws inspiration from her experience with them at industry events. "You don't really see that at the big beer companies," she says. "These women are truly leaders and aren't afraid to go out there and do a good job. The brewing industry has traditionally been male-dominated. There is a physical component to it, but it's not that difficult. Having women involved changes the discussion." While the couple shares the responsibility of running the business, Rob is the expert in terms of the recipes and the beer. Their ultimate goal? Developing beers for Texas. "Our focus will be on Austin for the next few years, but we'd eventually like to sell in six-packs and on draft to other Texas communities," says Cartwright. "Our top goal is to service the Texas market and develop beers people want, beers that reflect people's desires for flavor and not heaviness." Independence beers fit the climate; definitely not a heavy beer suited for the frigid tempatures of the Pacific Northwest winters. In fact, the logo for the brewery's Freestyle Wheat Beer depicts a long-haired guy jumping off the diving board into Barton Springs. "Our overall style is brilliant and clean," says Cartwright. "No one was making beers we wanted to make." The result is three distinct beers. The Bootlegger Brown Ale has hints of chocolate and a light finish and is very smooth. Cartwright says it pairs perfectly with a good chocolate - perfect for Valentine's Day. It's also the favorite of Jasper, the Cartwright's dog. The Freestyle Wheat is crafted in the style of an American wheat beer. It's got a light, dry finish and would be ideal on hot summer days. Cartwright calls the Independence Pale Ale "bright and hoppy" - and yes, it's possible to get that in a pint glass. It might be the perfect beverage on a girl's night out. |
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