#2 - Embrace / Hazy Pale
Our second release to celebrate F&L's 10 years of brewing is a hazy pale. 'Embrace' is a hoppy, hazy pale ale brewed by 13 women from our local community and brewing industry on International Women's Day 2026.
Click here to see a video short about this beer. (Filmed for mobile viewing, but click it anyway, it'll be fine!).
International Women's Collaboration Brew Day (IWCBD) is an annual event which takes place on or around International Women's Day. Brewery teams and home brewers across the world come together with their communities and local groups to celebrate women in the beer industry, and to create and release collaboration beers inspired by a central theme, raising funds for women’s causes.
The 2 women's causes we have chosen to donate to are, the International Association of Premenstrual Disorders & Grace Northumberland rape crisis.
This year's IWCBD theme is 'Belonging', which each brewery is free to interpret as they see fit. For us, 'Embrace' is the result of First & Last feeling like we truly belong both in Bellingham and in the NE beer scene; we've been genuinely welcomed into this community and we really enjoy reciprocating that love by welcoming everyone equally to our space to enjoy beers and good times. We want everyone to feel like they belong at F&L. If you want to dig a little deeper on the history of IWCBD read beer journalist Laura Hadland's article on the CAMRA website.
We like to get involved every year, in fact our Plum / Belgium beer made with local foraged plums was first brewed on an IWCBD. It's great to bring people into the brewery who haven't brewed before, explain the process and share the experience.
International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It was fantastic to be joined by friends in the brewing industry; Sandy from StuBrew, Daisy from Craft Beer Newcastle and Shona & Lauren from Hadrian & Border Brewery. It was equally special to have many more women from outside of the industry, to gather and share the experience of conceiving, designing and brewing a special beer together.
We were lucky enough to be joined by Annie from Moss Folk Designs in Northumberland who went away from the brew day and created a bespoke original lino print especially for the beer. You can view more of her beautiful art work here - www.mossfolkdesigns.com
Finally to the beer; 'Embrace' is a 4.9% hazy pale beer. Brewed with bold and flavoursome hops from New Zealand & North America (Moutere, Citra, El Dorado, Mosaic & Krush since you asked!). Expect tropical fruity flavours and aroma and a smooth and fluffy mouthfeel.
You can buy F&L beers (including this one) as part of our Build Your Own Beer Box (make up your own box of 6 or 12). Or you can just purchase this beer here.
