More than 100 brewsters from around the world took part in a collaborative brew day to mark last month’s International Women’s Day.

Sophie de Ronde, brewing technologist at Stowmarket-based malt and malted ingredients company Muntons, came up with the idea in 2013, with this year seeing brewsters (female brewers) from 11 countries brewing the same Unite Red Ale recipe on the same day.

This represented an increase on last year when 70 participants from nine countries signed up to brew Unite Pale Ale.

All brewsters and other beer-loving women were encouraged to become involved, the aim being to raise awareness of women in the brewing industry and raise funds for local charities and the Pink Boots Society (PBS), a non-profit organisation with the goal of empowering women in the beer industry through education.

In honour of the day, Sophie brewed her own Unite Red Ale at Muntons’ pilot plant, producing 150 500ml bottles.

These will be raffled off during April with the proceeds going to the PBS and the company’s own designated charity, the East Anglian Air Ambulance.