Bella Perez is 71’s newest addition to the team 🙋♀️ A California native, our recently appointed Head Brewer brings a wealth of brewing knowledge from both the US and the UK. Since graduating from Heriot-Watt University with a Masters in Brewing and Distilling, Bella has worked exceptionally hard to make waves within the industry - from her days of packaging, to working in production and now leading a team. She spoke to us about her experiences in the field, her favourite aspects of brewing, and her fantastic new West of Sunset beer created exclusively for International Women’s Day.
What made you want to get into brewing?
“I was studying chemical engineering at university and had grown up near one of the Budweiser production plants, so I was always interested in that. During my course we talked about brewing a lot in my chemical engineering classes and with my university having a viticulture and technology program-I decided to take an entry-level general education class in brewing and really enjoyed it.
I wasn’t enjoying my chemical engineering studies as much, and while I was in Nottingham as an exchange student, I changed my major from chemical engineering to brewing science and got a job in the research lab, where there was a pilot brewery. Essentially I was a chemical engineer who didn’t want to make Windex, so I decided to make beer!”
Is brewing in the US different compared to the UK?
“I brewed in California for about five years before moving to Oregon, where I brewed for two years. Consumer tastes vary between the two places. For instance, cask ale is popular here but is not a major part of beer consumption in the US. The pub culture is very different here too. In the UK, there’s a pub on every corner, but in the US, microbreweries tend to dominate. A lot of beer trends seen in the UK are inspired by the US but may take a few years to reach here. For example, styles like cold IPA that have just started becoming popular here were already established in the US about four years ago. We’ve recently just introduced a cold IPA to our range - Inner Galactic”.
Do you think there are misconceptions about brewing?
“Brewing, especially craft brewing, is often seen as mass production due to the short timeline involved. But people don’t always realise how much detail goes into maintaining the quality of beer. Every decision, from raw material selection to tank design, impacts the final product. If I have to swap hops mid-batch, it’s critical that I get it right. Otherwise, it’s noticeable, and it could affect the consistency of the beer.”
Brewing is still a male-dominated field. What would you say to women who want to get into brewing?
“I’ve been involved in mentorship programs, and I know firsthand that women face challenges. When I was starting, I spent years working in packaging, not getting the recognition or opportunities despite the experience I had. But perseverance pays off. You need to build a strong network within the industry - it is very collaborative. It’s crucial to connect with others in the field, ask questions, and use your network for job opportunities. Having a good word put in for you can help your resume stand out.”
What would you tell your younger self?
“It sucks now, and sometimes it feels unfair. Life isn’t always fair, but you’ll get there. It takes time. I love what I do now, and all the years of struggle were worth it.”
Do you have a favourite beer to brew?
“I really enjoy brewing a stout. Working with malts is exciting. The smells in the brewery are amazing—caramelised sugars and toasty aromas. Specialty one-off recipes are much more fun than doing the same three recipes repeatedly.”
What food would you pair with West of Sunset?
“West of Sunset has a dry, bitter finish with tropical hops. I had it once with really oily noodles, and it was a great contrast. The rich, heavy texture of the noodles balanced the crispness of the beer.”
What do you like to do in your free time?
“I enjoy hiking, cooking, and gardening. Someday, I’d love to open a small brewery that also incorporates small-scale food production, like farming. I want to grow ingredients like herbs and strawberries, use them in beer, and even offer them to customers in a Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) box.”
What is your favourite 71 beer?
“I’m a bit biased because I’m excited about the beers I’m making. I really like West of Sunset, which we brewed for International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day. It’s a dry, West Coast IPA with a lot of tropical hops, and I’m very happy with it.”
We’re so excited to see what Bella has brewing - keep your eyes peeled for exciting brews coming your way in the next year 👀
West of Sunset
Inspired by the iconic bright and bitter IPAs of the Pacific Northwest, ‘West of Sunset’ is our take on a crisp, dry, and aromatic ale. Brewed and dry-hopped with Strata and Krush hops from Yakima, this beer boasts medium bitterness with irresistible notes of stone fruit and orange. It’s a perfect homage to the pioneering spirit of women in brewing and the vibrant flavors of the West Coast IPA style.
More than just a beer, ‘West of Sunset’ will support education and empowerment in the brewing industry. Through the global IWCBD initiative, we’re proud to donate £500 to sponsor four seats for the WSET Beer Level 1 qualification course, helping women advance their knowledge and careers in beer.
West of Sunset is only available on tap. Check out where is pouring this great beer somewhere near you or if you want to stock it you can order directly from Sellar or Eebria.
